One-Pot Cheesy Kielbasa and Pasta Delight

𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑠𝑦 𝐾𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑎 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑂𝑛𝑒-𝑃𝑜𝑡 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑙

𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

14 oz kielbasa sausage, sliced into rounds
1 tablespoon olive oil 🫒
1 small onion, diced 🧅
3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
2 cups chicken broth 🥣
1 cup milk 🥛
10 oz uncooked penne pasta 🍝
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 🧀
Salt and pepper to taste 🧂🌶️
Fresh parsley for garnish 🌱

𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

1. Prepare the Kielbasa:
Begin by slicing the kielbasa sausage into round pieces, about 1/4-inch thick. These slices will form the savory, flavorful base for your dish. In a large pot or deep skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil 🫒 over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the kielbasa slices. Sauté them for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges. This browning process helps to release the smoky, savory flavors from the sausage, which will infuse the entire dish. Once browned, remove the kielbasa from the pot and set it aside.

2. Sauté the Aromatics:
In the same pot, without cleaning it (so you retain all those tasty bits from the sausage), add the diced onion 🧅 and minced garlic 🧄. Lower the heat to medium and sauté the onions for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until they become soft and translucent. The garlic will quickly follow with its delicious aroma, adding a rich, savory depth to the dish. Be careful not to burn the garlic—keep stirring to avoid any browning. Once the onions and garlic are soft and fragrant, you’re ready to move on.

3. Add the Liquids and Pasta:
Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth 🥣 and 1 cup of milk 🥛 into the pot. Stir everything together, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze it, which will release all the flavorful bits from the sausage and onion into the liquid. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, and once boiling, add the uncooked penne pasta 🍝. Stir well to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid. Season with a pinch of salt 🧂 and pepper 🌶️ to your taste. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the pasta cook for about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. As the pasta cooks, it will absorb the liquid and soften, becoming infused with the flavors of the broth, garlic, and onions.

4. Add the Cheese and Kielbasa:
Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, it’s time to make it cheesy! Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese 🧀. Mix continuously until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce that coats the pasta. At this point, return the browned kielbasa slices to the pot, stirring everything together until the sausage is evenly distributed throughout the cheesy pasta. The cheese will bind all the flavors together, creating a rich, creamy texture with every bite.

5. Finish and Serve:
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt 🧂 or pepper 🌶️ if needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can stir in a splash of milk to loosen it up. Once you’re happy with the consistency, turn off the heat and sprinkle fresh parsley 🌱 over the top for a pop of color and freshness. Serve the cheesy kielbasa pasta hot, straight from the pot. The savory kielbasa combined with the creamy, cheesy pasta is sure to be a hit at any meal! Enjoy this easy, comforting dish.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟭𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟯𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀
𝗞𝗰𝗮𝗹: 𝟱𝟮𝟬 𝗸𝗰𝗮𝗹
𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝟰

~ 𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒆𝒔