One-pot Kielbasa Pasta is a quick and easy kielbasa recipe that can be on the table in no time. A tasty, hearty, and delicious dinner recipe that is packed with flavor and can be made with simple ingredients with minimal effort.
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When it comes to day-to-day cooking, I’m all about quick and easy. But my other requirement is — it still has to taste good! That’s why I love making recipes that combine simple ingredients and a lot of flavors which is exactly what you get with this delicious kielbasa pasta recipe.
This delicious recipe makes kielbasa the star of the show, but the supporting cast is equally as important. Flavorful kielbasa comes together with onions and bell peppers, along with cajun seasoning and perfectly cooked pasta! We finish it off with cheddar cheese to create a dish that’s easy, delicious, and absolutely cheese-tacular.
If you love the combination of sausage and pasta you’ve got to try this Italian Sausage Pasta and Spinach Artichoke Pasta next!
Why You’ll Love This Kielbasa Sausage Pasta
- So Easy. Pasta with kielbasa uses simple ingredients to create plenty of flavor that’s incredibly easy to make.
- Hearty and Filling. Kielbasa and pasta make this dish one that truly satisfies. It’s amazing that even a few choice ingredients will fill you up right!
- Perfect for Weeknights. Not only is it sure to be a family favorite, but it’s also quick to make so it can be on the table in a flash.
Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this one-pot kielbasa pasta dish. You’ll have many of them in your kitchen already. The rest are all easily found at your local grocery store.
- Rotini pasta: My favorite but you can use any type of short pasta you like.
- Olive oil: Used for cooking the sausage and vegetables. Feel free to use any neutral oil you have on hand.
- Kielbasa sausage: You will find this in your grocery refrigerator section near the bacon and other sausage varieties. It’s a Polish style of smoked sausage made mostly from pork.
- Vegetables: Onion add savory flavors to the sausage dish while red and green bell pepper add some color and texture.
- Seasoning: Cajun seasoning and some paprika add a bit of a kick while black pepper and garlic powder balance and season the entire dish.
- Rotel: This canned tomato product also contains some seasonings and green chilies for extra flavor. You can find it in the grocery aisle with other canned tomatoes. Feel free to swap it for a different type of canned tomato if you want.
- Vodka sauce: Adds a creamy component with hints of savory tomatoes to the sauce the coats the sausage and pasta. You will find this in the pasta aisle
- Sharp cheddar cheese: For cheesiness! You can use other types of strong flavored cheeses instead.
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and quantities of each one.
Variations
This is another of my recipes that you can tweak to make it into several other recipes if you like. It’s so versatile and easy to play with, you’ll find yourself experimenting all the time.
- Experiment with Sausages: You can use another type of sausage such as smoked sausage or even Italian sausage. If you want a leaner option try some turkey or chicken sausage.
- Add Vegetables: Broccoli is one of my favorites but you can also add zucchini, spinach, mushrooms or anything else you love.
- Change the Sauce: Try this dish with other jarred sauces such as marinara or Alfredo.
- Spicy: Add a sliced jalapeno to the vegetable mixture for a spicy kick.
How to Make Kielbasa Pasta
Making this kielbasa sausage dish is just as easy as gathering up the ingredients. It only takes a few simple steps!
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. When it’s ready drain, rinse, and return to the pot.
- Step 2: Cook the Kielbasa. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or frying pan. Add the sliced smoked kielbasa and cook until it is heated through.
- Step 3: Add the Vegetables. Add the onions, bell peppers, and seasonings to the pan and stir. Continue cooking until the onions are translucent and the peppers are tender.
- Step 4: Add the Sauce Ingredients. Pour the Rotel, vodka sauce, and water into the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 5: Finish the Dish. Pour the cooked mixture into the pot with the pasta and stir. Then, add the cheddar cheese and stir to combine. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Make Ahead: While you can certainly make the entire dish ahead and reheat it, it’s such a quick and easy recipe, I recommend making it right before serving if possible. If you do need some time savers you can slice the sausage and veggies ahead of time so you can simply start cooking.
- Al Dente Pasta: Boil it just until it’s al dente and still retains a bit of a “bite”. It will cook a bit more when added to the skillet with the sausage, veggies, and sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This is a hearty recipe that’s a complete meal, especially with the addition of pasta and vegetables. As such, I recommend serving something light alongside it.
- Add on a simple side salad with your favorite chopped vegetables and dressing.
- Sometimes I like to add on a vegetable side dish like this corn casserole with green chilies or some crispy cauliflower patties though a simple vegetable such as steamed broccoli works too.
- Sometimes I like to serve our favorite crusty bread or garlic Texas toast to soak up all the sauce. These cheesy mozzarella bites go great too!
How to Store and Reheat
Store this dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
To reheat this dish, simply place it in a baking dish, cover it, and bake it for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees until heated through.
Try This Delicious Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Recipe Today
This kielbasa sausage pasta comes together so quickly, and it’s absolutely delicious. It’s the perfect weeknight meal, and it’s always so satisfying. Give it a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again. It never gets old, especially because it’s so easy to change up.
More Delicious Sausage Recipes You’ll Love
Try this Instant Pot Italian Sausage Pasta from Great Grub Delicious Treats. This pasta is a super quick, simple, and easy pasta recipe that is made with Italian sausage, sliced peppers, onions, cheese, and a delicious sauce.
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Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 ounce box rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 16 ounce kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 10 ounce can Rotel®
- 24 ounce jar vodka sauce (or spaghetti sauce)
- ¼ cup water
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Using a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse and return to pot.
- In a large cast iron skillet or frying pan, heat oil over medium heat and then add sliced kielbasa. Cook until sausage is heated through.
- Add onions, bell peppers, and the seasonings into pan and stir. Cook until onions are translucent and peppers are tender.
- Pour Rotel, vodka sauce and water into skillet, stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer for 15 minutes then pour into pot with pasta. Stir.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese into pot, stir to combine and enjoy.
Notes
- Make Ahead: While you can certainly make the entire dish ahead and reheat it, it’s such a quick and easy recipe, I recommend making it right before serving if possible. If you do need some time savers you can slice the sausage and veggies ahead of time so you can simply start cooking.
- Al Dente Pasta: Boil it just until it’s al dente and still retains a bit of a “bite”. It will cook a bit more when added to the skillet with the sausage, veggies, and sauce.
