If you need a quick dinner that doesn’t leave you with a sink full of dishes, this Kielbasa One Pot Pasta is about to become one of your go-to recipes. Smoky kielbasa, tender pasta, tomatoes, garlic, and onion all cook together in a creamy sauce before being finished with plenty of melted cheddar cheese.
The best part is that you don’t even have to boil the pasta separately. Everything cooks in the same pot, which means less prep, fewer dishes, and an easy dinner you can have on the table in about 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Kielbasa One Pot Pasta
This recipe is perfect for those nights when you want something hearty and comforting without putting a ton of effort into dinner.
The kielbasa adds plenty of smoky, savory flavor while the heavy cream and cheddar create a rich and creamy sauce. Cooking the pasta directly in the chicken broth and tomatoes also allows it to absorb all that flavor instead of simply being tossed with the sauce afterward.
It’s simple, filling, family-friendly, and made entirely in one pot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this creamy kielbasa pasta.
You’ll need butter, onion, kielbasa, minced garlic, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, pasta, and shredded cheddar cheese.
You can use your favorite pasta shape for this recipe. Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, bowtie, or shells work especially well because they’re easy to stir and hold onto the creamy sauce.
How to Make Kielbasa One Pot Pasta
Start by melting the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the sliced kielbasa and diced onion. Cook until the onion begins to soften and the kielbasa develops some color around the edges.
Add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Next, add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and uncooked pasta directly to the pot.
Stir everything together and make sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. This is important because the pasta needs enough liquid around it to cook evenly.
Cover the pot and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Once the noodles are tender, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
Continue stirring until the cheese has completely melted into the sauce, then serve while it’s hot and creamy.
Tips for the Best One Pot Pasta
Make Sure the Pasta Is Submerged
Before covering your pot, make sure the uncooked pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. This helps it cook evenly.
Keep It at a Gentle Simmer
You don’t need a hard boil. A gentle simmer allows the pasta to cook while the sauce gradually thickens.
Stir Occasionally
Even though the pot is covered, give everything a stir occasionally. Pasta can stick to the bottom of the pot as it absorbs the cooking liquid.
Add More Broth if Needed
Different pasta shapes absorb different amounts of liquid. If your pasta has absorbed most of the sauce but isn’t tender yet, add a splash of chicken broth and continue cooking.
Add the Cheese Last
Wait until the pasta is fully cooked before adding the shredded cheddar. This allows the cheese to melt directly into the finished sauce instead of potentially separating while the pasta cooks.
Ingredients
Method
- Add the butter to a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and diced onion and cook until the kielbasa begins to brown and the onion has softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and pasta to the pot. Stir everything together, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Once the pasta is tender, add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until completely melted and the sauce is creamy. Serve warm.
Notes
What Pasta Works Best?
One of the best things about this recipe is that you can use whatever pasta you already have.
Penne, rotini, shells, bowtie pasta, and other short pasta shapes are all great options.
Just keep in mind that cooking times can vary depending on the pasta you choose. Check the noodles around the 15-minute mark and continue simmering if necessary.
Can I Add Vegetables?
Absolutely. This recipe is easy to customize with vegetables you already have in the refrigerator.
Bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, or zucchini would all pair well with the kielbasa and creamy tomato sauce.
For vegetables that need more cooking time, sauté them with the onion and kielbasa. Quick-cooking vegetables like spinach can be stirred in toward the end.
What to Serve With Kielbasa Pasta
This creamy kielbasa pasta is hearty enough to serve as a complete meal on its own.
If you want something on the side, pair it with garlic bread, a simple green salad, roasted broccoli, green beans, or another easy vegetable.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Kielbasa One Pot Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
The pasta will continue absorbing some of the sauce as it sits, so don’t be surprised if it’s thicker the next day.
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to loosen the sauce and bring back some of its original creaminess.
You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions gently on the stovetop.
Can You Freeze Kielbasa One Pot Pasta?
Yes, although creamy pasta is generally best when it’s freshly made.
Allow the pasta to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Because both the pasta and cream sauce can change slightly in texture after freezing, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream while reheating and stir well until the sauce becomes creamy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I cook the pasta before adding it to the pot?
No. The uncooked pasta goes directly into the pot and cooks in the chicken broth, tomatoes, and cream.
What kind of kielbasa should I use?
Use your favorite fully cooked kielbasa. Beef, pork, turkey, or a combination will all work.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Cheddar gives this recipe plenty of cheesy flavor, but Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a combination of cheeses would also work.
Why is my sauce too thick?
The pasta may have absorbed more liquid than expected. Stir in a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
Why is my pasta still hard after 15 minutes?
Different pasta shapes and brands have different cooking times. Add a little additional chicken broth if needed, cover the pot, and continue simmering until the noodles are tender.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can, but it’s creamiest when freshly made. If preparing it ahead, refrigerate it in an airtight container and add a little chicken broth or cream when reheating.
An Easy One Pot Dinner for Busy Nights
This Kielbasa One Pot Pasta is exactly the kind of recipe to keep around when you need dinner on the table without a lot of work. It’s creamy, cheesy, packed with smoky kielbasa, and comes together in one pot in about 30 minutes.
With simple ingredients, minimal cleanup, and plenty of ways to customize it, it’s an easy family dinner you’ll want to make again and again.
My whole family loved this! It was creamy, cheesy and so easy for a weeknight. Even better that everything cooked in one pot.