Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa is a super easy comforting pasta dish to make and seriously cheesy. The wonderful flavor of the Polish Kielbasa and cheese takes ordinary weeknight dinner to a whole new level of deliciousness.
I don’t know about you, but this fall is a busy time for our family. We have Decorations going up, get-togethers at our friend’s homes, Halloween parties, and the list continue. I like to have a few easy-button dinners up my sleeve like this Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa for crazy nights that we have little to no time.
This recipe today is really just a makeover that I did to an old Macaroni and cheese recipe we used for years that you baked instead of just cooking on the stovetop in a skillet. Trust me, it cuts the time by 1/4, and my house isn’t hot from an oven running. Those two things make my tiny heart pitter-patter.
I don’t have time to try to go nuts in the kitchen on busy nights. Have you ever been so busy you could just tear your hair out, thinking of having to spend more than 35-45 minutes max in the kitchen? I have, and it’s annoying to all hell and back.
Lately, my husband has been a little picky about dinner. He doesn’t want a lot of ingredients, just substance. So instead of getting annoyed, I have been pulling out old recipes and trying to revamp them so that I don’t have the annoying dinner dialogue I have grown to dislike these days immensely.
You know the one where they are bored, tired of, or the famous what’s this? Ugh, that damn what’s this as he slightly bends his head and smells what he is about to eat to see if it’s worth him pushing the for to his lips. Sigh. I don’t have time for it. lol!
Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa is surprisingly Husband approved. Apparently, it’s a good hearty substance he enjoys. All his manly favorites, cheese, Kielbasa, and Penne pasta. Did I mention he will only eat this if I use Penne pasta or Pasta Shells? You know, the smaller ones? Maybe he likes how the cheese sticks to all the crevices, I don’t know.
Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa
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Polish Kielbasa or Smoked Sausage
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Water to boil pasta
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Uncooked pasta
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Evaporated Milk
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Rotel Tomatoes
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Cornstarch
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Colby-Jack Cheese
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Pepper Jack Cheese
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Unsalted butter
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Cajun seasoning
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Kosher Salt
Instructions for Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa
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In a large 14-inch deep metal skillet, brown Polish Kielbasa sausage over medium heat for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
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In the same skillet or another pot, bring the water to a boil. Add pasta, reduce heat, stir often until pasta is al dente, about 8-10 minutes. (Do not drain)
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In a small glass bowl, whisk cornstarch, milk, and Rotel tomatoes.
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Gradually add to the cooked penne pasta or macaroni pasta; cook and stir until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
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Remove from heat; add Colby-Jack cheese, Pepper Jack, and cooked Polish sausage, butter, and Cajun Seasoning
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Stir until cheeses have blended and melts.

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 1 pound Polish Kielbasa or Smoked Sausage ¼ inch rounds
- 4 cups Water to boil
- 16 ounces Uncooked pasta Penne or Elbow
- 1-12- ounce Can of Evaporated milk
- 1-10- ounce Can of Rotel Tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Corn Starch
- 3 cups Colby-Jack Cheese shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- Kosher Salt to own taste
Instructions
- In a large 14-inch deep metal skillet, brown Polish Kielbasa sausage over medium heat for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet or another pot, bring the water to a boil. Add pasta, reduce heat, stir often until pasta is al dente, about 8-10 minutes. (Do not drain)
- In a small glass bowl, whisk cornstarch, milk, and Rotel tomatoes.
- Gradually add to the cooked penne pasta or macaroni pasta; cook and stir until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat; add Colby-Jack cheese, Pepper Jack, and cooked Polish sausage, butter, and Cajun Seasoning
- Stir until cheeses have blended and melts.
Notes
Although themccallumsshamrockpatch.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and how ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will themccallumsshamrockpatch.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your reliance on nutritional information.
Nutrition
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24 Comments
Jessica Formicola
August 5, 2019 at 11:37 amI love the idea of adding kielbasa to mac and cheese! I made this for dinner last night and it was a total winner!
hmccallum
August 5, 2019 at 11:49 amThank you, Jessica, so glad that they liked the recipe!!!
Toni | Boulder Locavore
August 5, 2019 at 11:04 amMy kids really loved the Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa! A huge hit for dinner!
hmccallum
August 5, 2019 at 11:36 amHello there, Toni, so glad to hear the kids enjoyed the Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa
Marlynn @UrbanBlissLife
August 5, 2019 at 10:58 amI love that this skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa is such a hearty dish with just a few ingredients. So good!
hmccallum
August 5, 2019 at 12:06 pmHi, Marylynn, thank you so much for stopping by and letting me know you liked the recipe.
Michelle
August 5, 2019 at 10:48 amThis Skillet Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa so simple, but so delicious! We make a cheesy potato and kielbasa version too!
hmccallum
August 5, 2019 at 12:07 pmThank you, so much Michelle! I would love to hear more about this yummy recipe of yours! Sounds great.