Description
This creamy kielbasa pasta is the perfect comfort dish for busy nights. Made with smoky Polish sausage, tender pasta, and a cheesy, garlic-infused sauce, it’s rich, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 14 oz kielbasa, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cups half-and-half or light cream
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried chives
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Colby cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions, cooking 1 minute less than suggested. Reserve 1½ cups of the cooking water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add kielbasa and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add chopped onion and cook for 2 more minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir to coat. Slowly add chicken broth, stirring to avoid lumps.
- Pour in the cream, herbs, and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the shredded cheese and parmesan, stirring after each addition until melted.
- Add drained pasta and ½ cup reserved water to the sauce. Toss gently for 1 minute. Add more water if needed to loosen sauce.
- Serve hot with optional toppings like fresh parsley or extra cheese.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest sauce.
- Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta works just as well.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Polish Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 678
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 719 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 80 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 119 mg