Description
This Creamy Kielbasa Sausage Pasta Skillet is the perfect one-pan dinner for busy weeknights. Smoky kielbasa, tender pasta, and a rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce come together in under 30 minutes. It’s hearty, comforting, and incredibly satisfying with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1½ cups shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced kielbasa and cook until browned and crisp, about 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and kielbasa back into the skillet. Stir to coat everything in the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use any short pasta shape like rotini or shells if penne isn’t available.
- Make it extra creamy by substituting half the milk with heavy cream.
- Add steamed broccoli, peas, or spinach for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 476
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg