This Kielbasa pasta recipe is very easy and straightforward, it is similar to my canned tuna pasta recipe. It uses a handful of ingredients and requires minimal prep. Here the protein in this dish is allowed to take the front seat, and the smokiness from the kielbasa takes the pasta dish to a whole new level. This dish is ready under 30 minutes!
Kielbasa pasta recipe
Kielbasa pasta is a quick and easy pasta dinner recipe that's packed with smoky delicious flavor, This dish is a perfect blend of smoky sausage, tender pasta, and creamy sauce that's sure to satisfy your cravings.
With minimal effort and only a few ingredients required, this recipe is simple to put together. It is versatile as you can also use any kielbasa of choice, cooked one preferable as that is what makes this dish a quick one.
You can easily customize this Polish sausage pasta dish to taste using what you have on hand, it is economical, just like my canned mackerel pasta recipe. If anything, this pasta dish does deliver on taste, thanks to the smoky and flavorful Polish sausage. If you have never tried kielbasa and pasta together before, this is your sign to make this tonight.
Related recipes: air fryer kielbasa and creamy chorizo and chicken pasta.
What you will need to make this recipe
To make this creamy kielbasa pasta, you will need the following handful of ingredients. The full recipe with measurements can be found in the recipe card below
Pasta: I used rigatoni but you can use any short pasta of choice like penne, farfalle, and the likes
Kielbasa: any type of cooked kielbasa would work for this recipe, I used Polsel, the meat in this sausage is chunkier than what you will find in some other brands and types of kielbasa.
Cream cheese: I used full-fat cheese but you can use light cream cheese if you prefer.
Butter: I used unsalted butter, however, if you are using salted butter be sure to adjust the salt in the overall dish accordingly. Also bear in mind that kielbasa is already cooked and contains salt.
Sundried tomatoes drained from the oil
Onions
Garlic
Chili flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste
Reserved Pasta water: substitute with low sodium chicken stock
How to make creamy kielbasa pasta
Cook the pasta: to a large pot of boiling salted water, add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve about 2 cups of pasta water before draining the cooked pasta. while the pasta is cooking proceed to cook the kielbasa and sauce.
Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat, add kielbasa slices to the pan, and cook for 1 minute on each side or until crispy around the edges. Transfer the kielbasa unto a plate.
Reduce the oil in the skillet to about 1 tablespoon, add chopped onions, and saute until soft, translucent and fragrant. Add chopped garlic and sundried tomatoes and cook until fragrant and softened say about 1 minute.
Add the cooked kielbasa slices back into the pan with ½ cup of pasta water to the pan and stir to combine, cook for another 1-2 minutes to release the flavor and for it to meld.
Add cream cheese and chili flakes (black pepper and salt to taste) to the pan with another ½ cup of pasta water and stir to combine until the sauce becomes creamy then simmer for another 30 seconds. Taste and adjust accordingly with salt and black pepper.
Add cooked pasta to the skillet, toss or mix until well combined, and the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if need be to lighten the sauce, take it off the heat and serve immediately with parmesan cheese and garlic bread.
Variations
- For a creamier and cheesier sauce, substitute cream cheese for heavy cream, and add any favorite melting cheese of your choice. Mozzarella, gouda, or cheddar will work perfectly here without overpowering the dish.
- If you don’t have kielbasa, any other type of sausage or cured meat like bacon or chorizo will work, that said, it will no longer be kielbasa pasta and that might affect the flavor of the dish. That said, it would still be delicious.
- Prefer tomato sauce with this recipe, follow my pink sauce pasta recipe for how to make it happen. Substitute passata for chopped tomatoes for more texture.
How to store and reheat
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat the pasta in a microwave using a microwavable safe dish for about 2 minutes stirring halfway through or until hot to your liking.
More quick and easy pasta recipes
Kielbasa Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 300 g pasta
- 300 g Kielbasa sliced
- 125 g cream cheese
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes drained and chopped
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon garlic chopped
- Chili flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Reserved Pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: to boiling salted water, add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve about 2 cups of pasta water before draining the cooked pasta. while the pasta is cooking proceed to cook the kielbasa and sauce.300 g pasta
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat, add kielbasa slices to the pan, and cook for 1 minute on each side or until crispy around the edges. Transfer the kielbasa unto a plate.300 g Kielbasa, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Reduce the oil in the skillet to about 1 tablespoon, add chopped onions and saute until soft, translucent and fragrant. Add chopped garlic and sundried tomatoes and cook until fragrant and softened say about 1 minute.½ cup onion, 1 Tablespoon garlic, ½ cup sundried tomatoes
- Add the cooked kielbasa slices back into the pan with ½ cup of pasta water to the pan and stir to combine, cook for another 1-2 minutes to release the flavor and for it to meld.300 g Kielbasa
- Add cream cheese and chili flakes (black pepper and salt to taste) to the pan with another ½ cup of pasta water and stir to combine until the sauce becomes creamy then simmer for another 30 seconds. Taste and adjust accordingly with salt and black pepper.125 g cream cheese, Chili flakes, Salt and black pepper to taste, Reserved Pasta water
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet, toss or mix until well combined, and the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. Add more pasta water to lighten the sauce if need be and continue to simmer for another minute. Take it off the heat and serve immediately.300 g pasta
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
And there you have it, a simple and delicious pasta and kielbasa recipe you can make at home in no time. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox
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