This Smoked Sausage Pasta is a creamy, cheesy skillet dinner loaded with kielbasa, veggies, and melted mozzarella on top. Ready in just 30 minutes, this delicious meal always disappears quickly at the dinner table.
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Let's be real. Baking is a piece of cake for me, but making dinner? That's a whole different story. I can bake cookies or brownies without even thinking about it, but ask me what's for dinner tonight, and my mind goes completely blank. Every. Single. Time.
I cannot tell you how many nights I have stood in the kitchen staring at the pantry hoping something will magically come to me. Sometimes I'm inspired by the random ingredients, and sometimes we just eat cereal or order pizza and call it a day.
But this smoked sausage pasta recipe is one of these inspired accidents. I grabbed noodles and canned tomatoes from the pantry, and then added some smoked kielbasa and mozzarella from the fridge, and just threw it all together. Everyone in my family went back for seconds, so I knew we had another dish to add to our meal rotation.
Why You'll Love Pasta With Smoked Sausage
- Ready in 30 minutes. The food is on the table fast, which is exactly what you need on those busy nights when everyone is asking about dinner.
- A hearty and satisfying meal. Smoky kielbasa, creamy mozzarella sauce, and tender pasta in one skillet. This is the kind of meal that fills everyone up.
- Easy to customize. Swap the meat, change up the veggies, or use whatever pasta shape you have on hand. This recipe is very flexible and works with what you have.
- The whole family will love it. A cheesy pasta dinner is guaranteed to get thumbs up around the whole table.
Key Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients are all you need for this easy weeknight dinner. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the exact amounts.
- Dried Pasta: Any type of pasta shape works great here. Rotini, penne, rigatoni, and bowtie are all great options.
- Onion and Garlic: Add a savory base flavor to the dish. I usually use yellow onions and jarred garlic.
- Petite Diced Tomatoes: The liquid in the can helps create the sauce, while the tomatoes add flavor and color.
- Fresh Basil: Adds a fresh herby flavor that goes well with the cheese and tomatoes. In a pinch, dried basil works too; just use half the amount since it is more concentrated than fresh.
- Evaporated Milk: This canned milk makes the sauce so rich and creamy. Whole milk can be used in place of this if you prefer.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better, but pre-shredded bagged cheese is more convenient.
- Smoked Sausage: I like to use a smoked kielbasa in this recipe. It is fully cooked and comes in a 16-ounce package in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. Polish kielbasa or chicken sausage are great options too.
Recipe Variations
- Try a different sausage. Italian or andouille sausage gives the pasta a different but delicious taste.
- Add more fresh veggies. Bell peppers, mushrooms, fresh spinach, or broccoli florets are great additions. Stir them in with the onion and cook until softened.
- Swap the cheese. Provolone, Pepper Jack, or an Italian blend of cheeses work great in place of the mozzarella.
- Add some heat. A pinch of red pepper flakes or a can of green chilies add a little kick of heat to the pasta sauce.
How To Make Smoked Sausage Pasta
This easy pasta dinner is ready in just 30 minutes and comes together with just a few simple steps.
- Cook the pasta. Boil the noodles to al dente according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, chop and slice the veggies and meat.
- Saute the veggies. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add the diced onions and cook until softened. Add the minced garlic, undrained tomatoes, and fresh basil, and stir until the basil is wilted.
- Make the sauce. Pour in the milk and add the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the pasta and sausage. Gently stir in the cooked noodles and sliced sausage until everything is coated. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add extra cheese. Sprinkle more cheese on top, then cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes. Top the melted cheese with fresh basil right before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This cheesy pasta skillet is pretty much a complete meal on its own, but we like to add a few sides to make it go further.
- Bread: Herb garlic bread, crusty Italian loaf, or dinner rolls are great for soaking up the sauce.
- Salad: A simple green salad or Caesar salad goes well with the pasta dish.
- Vegetables: Roasted veggies, green beans, or steamed asparagus add more color to the meal.
- Dessert: Finish dinner off with homemade chocolate chip brownies or cookies and cream cookies.
BruCrew Tips
- Chop everything the night before. To speed up dinner, cut and dice everything ahead of time, then store it in small containers in the fridge.
- Do not drain the tomatoes! The liquid in the can helps create the sauce and simmers out as it cooks.
- Use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese in stores has a coating that keeps it from melting smoothly.
- Cover with a lid at the end. Just a few minutes with the lid on lets the cheese on top melt into a gooey texture.
Storing and Freezing
In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it sits, so it will be thicker when you reheat it.
Reheating: Add a splash of milk to the pasta before reheating to bring the creamy sauce back to life. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, or in the microwave in short intervals.
In the Freezer: This pasta can be frozen, but the sauce texture may change slightly after thawing. For best results, enjoy it fresh or within a few days in the refrigerator.
More Cheesy Pasta Recipes
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Pasta Bake
- Cheeseburger Tortellini
- Meat Lovers Ravioli
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
Please leave a 5-star ⭐️ rating and a review in the comments section below.
Recipe
Smoked Sausage Pasta
This Smoked Sausage Pasta is a creamy, cheesy skillet dinner loaded with kielbasa, veggies, and melted mozzarella on top. Ready in just 30 minutes, this delicious meal always disappears quickly at the dinner table.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced onions
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 - 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- ¼ cup diced fresh basil
- 1 -12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 16 ounce package smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Prep other ingredients while noodles are cooking. Drain the pasta and set aside when it is finished.
- Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add onions and sauté 2-3 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, and basil and stir until basil is wilted.
- Pour in the milk. Add 2 ½ cups shredded cheese and stir until creamy and melted.
- Gently stir in the pasta and sausage until coated. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Top with the remaining shredded cheese. Cover with lid until cheese on top is melted. Garnish with extra basil if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 749Total Fat: 51gSaturated Fat: 22gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 1706mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 43g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Jessica says
I have dried basil will that be ok to use?
Jocelyn says
Yes, that would be ok to use. But when using dried herbs in place of fresh, you should only use half the amount. So 2 Tablespoons would work. I hope you enjoy the pasta!!!
Karen says
This looks delicious and it's for dinner tonight! 🙂 Am I correct in assuming you don't drain the tomatoes?
Jocelyn says
No, you do not drain the tomatoes. Some of the liquid will simmer out as the basil cooks. I hope your family enjoys it!
Karen says
Ooops!! I thought I had kielbasa until I was getting started..... so had to use some ground Italian sausage instead. It still turned out SO good! Thank you for a great recipe!! 🙂
Jocelyn says
I am so glad you enjoyed it, and awesome job substituting ground sausage on the spot!!!
Meghan says
Dear Lord! This looks so delish!
Nadine says
Just made this last night, however didn't have any evaporated milk, added a can of low sodium chicken broth. Also added 3/4 c. fresh greens beans, red,yellow & green bell peppers.
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Jocelyn you seriously hve the BEST cheese pull shots!! You are the master! This looks like amazing dinner! Love using canned tomatoes for a quick dinner 🙂
Katherines Corner says
I invite you to s hare this yumminess at my Thursday link party ( you can still share until midnight Sat) Hugs!
Maureen Blackburn says
Have always used and loved Red Gold canned tomatoes, and am thrilled to have a new recipe to try with them!!! Thanks
Lindsay says
This looks amazing!!! What brand of sausage do you recommend for this? I would love to make this for next weeks meals but I have never cooked with sausage before! Thank you in advance!!!
Jocelyn says
Thank you! I used a Johnsonville polish kielbasa split rope sausage. It comes fully cooked in the refrigerated deli section of any grocery store. I hope you enjoy the dinner!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
I love Red Gold Tomatoes. And this skillet dinner looks amazing. I think you knocked it out of the park on this one..I mean, look at that cheese!