Description
A fast, comforting dinner featuring smoky kielbasa, tender broccoli, and penne pasta in a cheesy milk-based sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 13.9 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1–2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook according to package instructions. Two minutes before it’s done, add the broccoli florets to the same pot. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and then the sliced kielbasa. Cook until browned around the edges, about 4–5 minutes.
- Push the kielbasa to the side and add the diced onion. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the whole milk until fully dissolved and smooth.
- Pour the milk mixture into the skillet and stir. Bring to a gentle simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened. Keep the heat moderate.
- Add the shredded cheddar and stir until melted and smooth.
- Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss until evenly coated and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a looser sauce, reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust consistency. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or on the stovetop with added liquid.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: kielbasa, pasta, skillet dinner, broccoli, quick meal