Creamy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
Smoky & Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta with a Creamy Garlic Sauce, perfect for a quick and comforting meal.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Pasta Pot
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or bowtie
Protein
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage sliced into rounds
Aromatics & Vegetables
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, optional
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for a lighter version
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for spice
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp butter
Greens & Garnish
- 1 cup baby spinach or kale optional, for extra greens
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced kielbasa and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add diced onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in cherry tomatoes (if using) and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta and kielbasa back into the skillet. Stir in spinach, cooking for another 2 minutes until it wilts and the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm. Enjoy with extra Parmesan on top!
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Adjust seasonings to taste and feel free to add more vegetables for extra nutrition!