Description
A comforting one-pot meal that combines tangy kielbasa with creamy macaroni and cheese for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 oz kielbasa sausage, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups elbow macaroni (or your favorite short pasta)
- 3½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced kielbasa and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Remove the kielbasa from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the pasta, chicken broth, milk, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and butter. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Return the browned kielbasa to the pot and stir to combine. Heat for 1-2 minutes until the sausage is warmed through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
Feel free to mix and match cheeses or add veggies like spinach or peas for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: kielbasa, mac and cheese, one-pot meal, comfort food, family dinner
