Creamy kielbasa pasta combines sliced smoked sausage, penne pasta, onions, and peppers in a rich sauce of cream and parmesan.
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This creamy sausage pasta is a total crowd-pleaser the whole family will love because it is creamy, smoky, salty, and savory, the ultimate comfort food. It's perfect for those days when you want something hearty without any fuss. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.
If you like easy pasta recipes, try my one-pot sun-dried tomato pasta or my cheesy buffalo chicken pasta. For another delicious kielbasa dinner, try my cheesy kielbasa hash brown casserole.
Recipe Highlights
- 30-minute meal: Get this easy weeknight dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.
- Easy recipe: Just boil the pasta, sauté the sausage and veggies, and create the tomato cream sauce.
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Ingredients
- Penne pasta: Short tube-shaped pasta that holds onto sauce well.
- Kielbasa: Kielbasa sausage is pre-cooked smoked sausage with a rich and salty flavor.
- Olive oil: For sautéing.
- Onion: Diced. Yellow onion or sweet onion are my favorite.
- Red bell pepper: Diced.
- Garlic: Minced.
- Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes with the juice undrained.
- Heavy cream: Rich and thick cream that creates a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Sharp, nutty cheese that melts into the sauce for extra flavor.
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper for flavor.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
In a large pot, boil the pasta in salted water until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced Kielbasa and cook until lightly browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell peppers. Cook over medium to medium high heat until the veggies are softened and the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
Return the cooked Kielbasa to the skillet.
Add the cooked and drained penne pasta, salt, and pepper. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Substitutions
- Penne pasta: Can be swapped with rigatoni, fusilli, rotini, bowtie pasta, or any other bite-sized pasta.
- Kielbasa: Substitute with andouille sausage, Italian sausage, chorizo, or chicken sausage. Be sure to cook any raw meats.
- Garlic: Substitute with jarred garlic or garlic powder.
- Diced tomatoes: Use crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, or fresh diced tomatoes. You could also use tomato paste and a little broth.
- Heavy cream: Substitute with half-and-half. If using milk, the consistency may be too thin, so you may want to add cream cheese to make it creamier.
- Parmesan: This recipe is also delicious with shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella cheese.
Variations
- Spicy Kielbasa Pasta: Toss in red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for some extra heat.
- Vegetable Kielbasa Pasta: Include additional veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for added flavor and nutrition.
- One-Pot Kielbasa Pasta: To turn this into a one-pot meal, sauté the sausage and veggies in a large pot rather than a skillet. Then add the pasta, tomatoes, cream, and 2 cups of chicken broth or chicken stock, simmering until the pasta is tender and the liquid is reduced. Here is a one-pot kielbasa pasta recipe that's very similar.
Equipment
- Large pot and Colander: To boil and drain the pasta.
- Large skillet: To make the sauce.
- Cutting board and Chef's knife: To chop the veggies.
Storage
To store leftover pasta, first let it cool to room temperature. Transfer the pasta to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to keep it fresh. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
You can freeze the pasta for 2-3 months. When reheating, use the stove or microwave and add a splash of water, cream, or broth if the sauce seems dry, to help restore its moisture.
FAQ
Yes, in the U.S. kielbasa is pre-cooked. Read the packaging to confirm before eating.
Related
Looking for other easy pasta recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Creamy Kielbasa Smoked Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 (14 ounce) package Kielbasa smoked sausage sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 large red bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1-½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley optional for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, boil the pasta in salted water until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced Kielbasa and cook until lightly browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell peppers. Cook over medium to medium high heat until the veggies are softened and the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked Kielbasa to the skillet along with the cooked penne pasta, salt, and pepper. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Kelsey Smith says
You are going to love this easy pasta dish. Enjoy!