Easy one pot creamy kielbasa and pasta recipe with cream cheese in a skillet is a family favorite meal we love. Make cajun spicy or mild for a cheap family dinner.
What’s the best way to cook kielbasa?
On the grill is pretty amazing, you could leave it whole in that case. Doesn’t really make for an entire meal though. If you want to combine with other ingredients like this creamy kielbasa pasta you’d want to use a pan. Brown so the outsides caramelize a bit, then add your other ingredients until everything is tender, season and you’re set!
What do you eat kielbasa with?
In this case we wanted to make a whole meal in a pan. With small noodles cooked right in the same cast iron skillet you can then fold in any sauce you like and you’re set for dinner! If you wanted to make this with grains I would follow our Hamburger and Rice Casserole but swap out sausage for the ground beef and you’d be set.
Jump to:
- What’s the best way to cook kielbasa?
- What do you eat kielbasa with?
- One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Pasta Ingredients
- How to Cook Polish Kielbasa and Pasta
- Do you have to cook kielbasa before eating?
- What other sauces could you use?
- What is the best way to reheat leftover cooked sausage?
- Other kielbasa recipes you’ll love
One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Pasta Ingredients
- Olive oil will be used to brown the meat once sliced. You want it to get nice and browned because it will bring out more of the flavors which in turn will flavor the pasta when added.
- Kielbasa sausage should be sliced so it cooks evenly, brings more of the flavors out of the meat when cooked. You can choose pork or beef varieties and either spicy or mild. Hilshire Farms has several different types.
- Onion diced will add texture and flavor to the overall meal.
- 8 oz un cooked pasta like elbow macaroni or other small noodles. Shells or farfalle work, smaller will take less time.
- Water and Chicken broth were used but you could choose one or the other.
- 1 block cream cheese will create a creamy sauce sort of like alfredo. You can find dairy free varieties. I would not use low fat though as the flavor profile isn’t as good.
- Salt and pepper are basic seasonings but go with what you love.
How to Cook Polish Kielbasa and Pasta
Make sure you have a large skillet so everything fits. Slice your long link into dials. Thin or thick, just make sure they are all the same. Brown over medium high heat with a bit of oil to bring out the flavors with your onions to soften at the same time. Add chicken broth with pasta to “boil” until tender to your liking. Fold in cheese until melted. Serve one pot pasta dish once perfection is reached.
Do you have to cook kielbasa before eating?
Almost all the smoked sausage varieties you will find at the grocery store are sold pre-cooked so they are safe to eat cold, but can be heated for better flavor. In the event you buy these fresh and/or raw you would need to cook until the center reaches 145F. before consuming.
What other sauces could you use?
If you wanted to change this up or make a healthier variety you could use something else like homemade ninja foodi spaghetti sauce. You would just wait until everything is nice and tender and then fold in the Italian sauce until everything was nicely coated. Pesto would be another fun 30 minute meal, or use bottled alfredo to make another pasta dinner idea.
You can as we show you right here. First you will want to ensure your meat is heated to 145F. if starting out raw, or browned if smoked. Then add enough liquid to cover the pasta in the pan and simmer long enough to become al dente or soft to your liking.
Yes!! If you want to create a creamy sausage dish this is an easy way to do just that. You can cook right in the sauce or brown first to deepen the flavors. Add some penne pasta into the mix too with a bit of water to thin out the sauce and let it all cook together too if you like!
Kielbasa and cabbage is a popular duo but you could cook with sliced bell peppers or diced potatoes too. Since this can be cooked for quite a while in a skillet or slow cooker there are a lot of choices that go well with beef or pork links.
What is the best way to reheat leftover cooked sausage?
This dish actually saves quite well. Allow this to cool down and then store it in a closed container in the fridge. Reheat in the next 3 days in a pan on the stove ideally so you can add a bit more cream cheese or broth if it has dried out a bit. You can heat in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds too until warmed. Again you should add a bit more water so it can get creamy again. Jump to recipe and enjoy!
Other kielbasa recipes you’ll love
- Kielbasa in Crock Pot is a hands off easy meal with onions or sauerkraut we love.
- You can add this Polish sausage in our Seafood in a Bag meal with crab, potatoes and corn on the cob
- Or add some sliced pieces into our Instant Pot Crab Boil one pot meal too for a nice mix.
- If you wanted to make this with rice instead we have directions to make Instant Pot Sausage and Rice here for you too.
Kielbasa and Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- 1 skillet large and deep
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 kielbasa, sliced, 14 oz.
- 1/2 c onion, diced
- 8 oz elbow macaroni, or other small noodles
- 1.5 c water
- 1.5 c chicken broth
- 1 block cream cheese, 8 oz
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Add oil, sliced sausage and onion to a large skillet and heat over medium heat, cooking for 5-6 minutes or until onion is translucent and sausage begins to brown.
- Add the macaroni or other small noodles, water and broth and bring mixture to a boil. Stir well. Reduce heat to simmer and cover. Continue to cook for 12-14 minutes, stirring regularly as pasta will stick on the bottom.
- There should still be liquid in the pan when pasta is cooked. Stir in cream cheese and continue to stir until melted and smoothed. Serve immediately with salt and pepper and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The smoky flavor of the kielbasa paired perfectly with the creamy pasta, creating a comforting and satisfying meal. Easy to prepare and incredibly delicious, this dish has quickly become a new favorite in my household.
I’ve never heard of this but like the idea of using pasta.
Super savory and comforting meal! This kielbasa pasta recipe is always a hit at my dinners!