5 Great Recipes with Kielbasa

These quick and easy recipes using Kielbasa can add a little pizzazz to an ordinary weeknight meal.  Who doesn't love a quick recipe that tastes great?

TIPS

I keep a Kielbasa in the freezer for just those nights where the same old weeknight meals just won't cut it. 

You can quickly defrost a frozen Kielbasa by placing it in a Zip loc bag and putting it in a large bowl of cold water.  Yes.. cold water not warm... it will defrost quickly.. I guarantee it.  Think ice cube in a glass of water... it defrosts it safely.

I hope you try these great recipes!

Oven Roasted Potatoes Onions and Kielbasa

 Mac n Cheese and Kielbasa

Kielbasa and Potatoes

Kielbasa and Pierogies with Sautéed Onions and Bacon

Cajun Rice and Kielbasa Skillet

Oven Roasted Potatoes Onions and Kielbasa

This quick and easy Kielbasa dinner is perfect for weeknights... 5 minutes of prep and in the oven in goes.... a quick toss with a brown sugar, vinegar and mustard mixture before going on the table... served with a nice German beer... a truly great meal!

TIPS

You can use any brand Kielbasa you like... I use Hillshire Farms Beef Kielbasa.

Any kind of potatoes will work... I use medium to small red potatoes... quarter them.. any large pieces.. cut again.. you want fairly small quarters so they cook quicker... make sure they are roughly the same size.

The Kielbasa that lands against the pan tends to char.. which we like.. if you prefer less char on your Kielbasa .. roast the onions and potatoes and after about 25 minutes.. add the Kielbasa and toss the mixture a bit.

I honestly don't measure the olive oil I use to coat the potatoes and onions.. it's between 2-3 tablespoons... I have a spout on a jar that I keep by the stove.. just a quick swiggle over them and then use your hands to toss them to evenly coat them..  how much you use will also depend on how many potatoes you have.

The amount of potatoes is approximate.. make as much or as little as you like...

Try this great dish... serve some rye or pumpernickel bread with it... yummm!

Recipe:  Oven Roasted Potatoes Onions and Kielbasa

All you need:

1 pkg Kielbasa, sliced

About 8 small/medium red potatoes, quartered

2 large onions, sliced

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Sprinkling of garlic powder

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Put the onions and potatoes in a roasting pan... drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper.... toss to coat. Add the sliced Kielbasa and toss to mix.

Roast for 40-45 minutes (check periodically to make sure it doesn't char too much.. if it does.. cover loosely with foil.

In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cider vinegar and mustard.

Remove the roasting pan from the oven when the potatoes are fork tender and start to brown.

Pour the brown sugar mixture over the contents of the roasting pan and toss to coat.  Turn out on a platter and serve.

Recipe: Mac n Cheese and Kielbasa

There are so many ways to make Macaroni and Cheese.. adding kielbasa slices adds so much flavor... and it's just perfect with the cheddar cheese!

A kid friendly comfort food the whole family will love.

TIPS

I used cheddar cheese… you can use shredded Colby Jack cheese instead.

Use the salt sparingly when you’re making the sauce… don’t forget the kielbasa will add salt to the dish.

This makes about 6 good sized servings.

I served a steamed green beans with it.

Start Fall with a delicious comfort food everyone will love.








Recipe: Mac n Cheese and Kielbasa

All you need:

3 cups dry macaroni
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
¼ cup flour
2 ½ cups skim milk
2 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
1 kielbasa, sliced
Salt and white pepper to taste
Cooking oil spray (butter flavor preferred)

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cook the  macaroni in a large pot of boiling water for about 8 minutes or until cooked but still chewy… they will cook more when the casserole bakes. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, melt the butter or margarine in a large saucepan. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Cook for about 2 minutes to cook off the flour taste… make sure the butter doesn’t scorch…whisk constantly… if needed turn the heat down.

Add the milk slowly while whisking… whisk until smooth and sauce begins to thicken.

Add the shredded cheese and whisk until the cheese is completely melted and incorporated.  Remove from the heat.

Dump the cooked macaroni into the pot with the cheese sauce and add the sliced kielbasa, mix completely.

Lightly spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking oil spray.

Pour the macaroni mixture into the dish and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and the top is begins to brown.

Recipe: Cajun Rice and Kielbasa Skillet

Have you ever gotten to the grocery store and a sale was just too good to pass up? … you get home and now you have to think of a dish you want to make with it… and nothing rings your chimes…. I’m sure you have…. it’s definitely a “been there done that” moment.

That was mine with the kielbasa. We love kielbasa… with pierogies, with onions and potatoes… onions and cabbage… even in soup… and we had just had those dishes recently… so there I was staring blankly into my fridge and pantry.. trying to decide what to make… and this recipe was born.

I’m sure I’m not the first to have thought of this kind of combination… but I did come up with it .. my Cajun Spice was a last minute addition when I tasted the rice and decided it needed something… and boy did it get it!

TIPS

I used a full tablespoon of the Cajun Spice… lips on fire!... well not really but it was a bit spicy for my tastes… Warren was happy with it… I list the ingredient with a range… and I do list it as ½ tablespoon… use your tablespoon measuring spoon and eyeball it … as Rachael Ray would say… start off small.. you can always add more.

As for the Cajun Spice… click here for my recipe… I highly recommend it.. I have a small jar of it made up and use it often… so many things to use it in… if you prefer a commercially made Cajun Spice.. you will have to adjust the quantity in the recipe to your tastes since every spice combination is different.

This was a quick and easy skillet meal… start to finish in about 20 minutes… one skillet to clean… a great weeknight supper.






Recipe: Cajun Rice and Kielbasa Skillet

All you need:

1 kielbasa sausage, sliced
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 large garlic clove, finely diced
2 tablespoons olive oil plus a little more
2 cups instant rice
2 cups beef broth
½ - 1 tablespoon Cajun Spice (see tips)

All you need to do:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add the garlic and onions and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring them constantly.

Add the sliced sausage and rice.. drizzle a little more olive oil over the rice and stir well… you do not need very much….. cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the beef broth and stir. Let it simmer … adjust heat as needed.

Add Cajun seasoning and cook until rice is tender.

Serve immediately.

Recipe: Kielbasa and Potatoes

This recipe for Kielbasa and Potatoes combines oven roasting onions, potatoes and kielbasa with the dressing from a German Potato Salad recipe of mine. Another quick and easy recipe .. perfect for a weeknight.

Best of all… this gets baked in the oven… line your baking pan with foil and clean-up is a snap!

TIPS

The kielbasa I buy is not that fatty … but if yours is… and you want to cut the grease .. simply par boil it for about 5-7 minutes.. that will draw out a good portion of the grease. Then slice it and follow the recipe.

You can adjust the amount of vinegar and/or sugar to suit your tastes.

I don’t recommend increasing the salt.. there is salt in the kielbasa.

I use a drizzle of olive oil… not more than a tablespoon … over the potatoes and onions .. just to lightly coat them so they get golden and a bit crusty in the oven.

The recipe calls for white vinegar.. you could substitute cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor.

Serve it with some rye or pumpernickel bread and butter….and a nice cold beer… perfect on a hot day .. as well as.. a cold winter’s night.







Recipe: Kielbasa and Potatoes

All you need:

1 kielbasa
5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 large onion, cut in half then sliced
Dressing:
¼ cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
Fresh chopped parsley (optional)

All you have to do:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Line a baking pan with non-stick foil.

In a large bowl, drizzle a little olive oil over the potatoes and onions.

Toss lightly (I use my hands) to coat evenly.



Spread them out on the foil lined pan.

Slice the kielbasa, then cut the slices in half.

Spread the kielbasa over the potatoes and onions.

Make sure the onions are laying flat and not pointing up, otherwise they will char.

Bake for 40 minutes or until the potatoes are light golden brown.

Do not let any of it burn.

In the mean time, mix together the dressing.

When the potatoes, onions and kielbasa are out of the oven, remove them with a slotted spoon and put them in a large bowl.

Pour the dressing over them and toss to evenly coat.

Serve hot or warm.

Recipe: Kielbasa and Pierogies with Sautéed Onions and Bacon

This recipe for Kielbasa and Pierogies with Sauteed Onions and Bacon is more of a cooking method than a recipe… nothing is essentially from scratch…. but it is nonetheless very good…. a perfect weeknight meal that requires little work.

This traditionally Polish meal is so hearty and good… with the bold flavors of the Kielbasa and onions… just perfect with pierogies.

I hope you try this wonderful meal!






Recipe: Kielbasa and Pierogies with Sauteed Onions and Bacon

All you need:

1 Hillshire Farm Kielbasa, sliced (¼ inch slices)
12 regular size Pierogies (frozen or fresh)
2 large onions, halved then sliced
3 strips thick sliced smoked bacon
2-3 tablespoons butter
Sour Cream

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F.

In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until cooked but still pliable.

Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels… then chop. Set aside.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet with the rendered bacon fat. You should have a total of about 3 tablespoons of fat between the butter and the bacon grease. Melt the butter.

Add the onions and Kielbasa slices… cook the onions until soft and translucent. Remove the onions an oven safe 9x13 baking dish. Keep them warm in the preheated oven.


Continue to cook the Kielbasa slices until browned on both sides.

Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Add them to the baking dish and return dish to the oven to keep warm until pierogies are done cooking.

Add 1-2 tablespoons butter to the skillet.

Note: You should have about 3 tablespoons of fat totally in your skillet…. the Kielbasa will render some fat… so depending on the fat from the bacon and the Kielbasa… will determine how much butter you need to add.

Add the frozen (you do not have to thaw them first) or fresh pierogies to the hot skillet. Cook over medium heat until lightly browned on both sides… approximately 8 minutes for frozen pierogies.

Remove from the skillet when they are lightly browned and drain on paper towels.

Add the pierogies to the baking dish with the onions and Kielbasa…. Toss lightly to mix.

Sprinkle chopped bacon over the top and serve with sour cream on the side.

Recipe: Polska Kielbasa Stew

Polska Kielbasa Stew is a delicious hearty sausage and bean stew that I adapted from a recipe I found from Hillshire Farms…. I made just a few slight changes to their recipe….

We love Kielbasa sausage and I’m always looking for ways to use it in a recipe… this recipe caught my eye… it’s chocked full of flavor and with the beans and carrots… it’s good for you too.

This goes together quickly and requires little work…. serve it with a hearty bread and you have yourself a really great weeknight supper.

TIPS

You can use any one of the following Hillshire Kielbasas…. Polska Kielbasa or Beef Polska Kielbasa (I used this one) or Lite Polska Kielbasa (I think I may try this one next) or Turkey Polska Kielbasa.

I sliced my kielbasa a little thinner than they do…. I cut mine into ¼-1/2 inch slices… they cut them into 1 inch slices… I wanted this to be a stew you can eat with a spoon and not a fork and knife… I thought 1 inch was not bite size (unless you have gator jaws).

The recipe from Hillshire calls for bacon… which I used when making this recipe… but after eating it.. we decided the taste from the bacon is far overshadowed by the taste of the kielbasa and is unnecessary… the only way you know it has bacon in it is when you see a piece of it… I’m going to list the ingredient as optional… you can omit the bacon and use one tablespoon of olive oil instead when sautéing the garlic and onions.


Their recipe calls for minced garlic… I chopped it with the onions in my mini chopper… I like the way the garlic is incorporated into the onions… I feel it works better. I also sauted them briefly before adding the beans, carrots and spices… I feel it enhances the flavors.

The recipe lists hot pepper sauce as optional… I didn’t use it… I just didn’t think it went well with everything else.

I didn’t use any sage… their recipe calls for ½ teaspoon… I felt the kielbasa had enough flavor and I didn’t need sage.

They cook the onions, garlic, beans, carrots and spices in water… I used chicken broth… I wanted a heartier flavor…. you can use water… but I felt my result was excellent.

The recipe is listed as 6 servings… I would say that would be on the high side… I think 4 servings is more accurate.

Finally …. I keep rotini macaroni in a large jar so I can add it easily to recipes…. I added three handfuls (about a cup and a half) of uncooked rotini macaroni. I let it cook in the stew… the starch from the macaroni thicken the sauce… it was a terrific addition… if you feel the sauce is too thick.. simply add more chicken broth until you get the consistency you want… we liked it thickened… it was more stew-like rather than soupy.

This was a terrific and easy meal to make… one pot does it all… a quick clean-up too…








Recipe: Polska Kielbasa Stew

All you need:


1 pkg. Hillshire Farms Polska Kielbasa
¼ lb. bacon, chopped (optional)* see Tips in post
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)*see Tips in Post
2 cups chopped onion
5 carrots, cut into ½ inch pieces
1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15.5 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
22 ounces (can add more) chicken broth *see Tip in post
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1-2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (optional)*see Tips in post
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
1 bay leaf
1 can (14.5 ounces) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 ½ cups rotini macaroni

All you have to do:

Cut sausage into ¼ - ½ inch slices. Set aside.


Cook bacon in a 4-5 quart pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the fat is rendered. *Note this step is optional…. See Tips in post. If omitting the bacon… heat 1 tablespoon olive oil instead.



Chop the onions and garlic together in a mini chopper.



Add the onions and garlic to the post and sauté until onions are translucent.








Stir them frequently.








Add the beans, carrots, spices and chicken broth.





Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 20 minutes.



Add the sausage, tomatoes and macaroni and bring to a boil and cook 25 minutes or until mixture has thickened slightly and macaroni is cooked.




Remove the bay leaf and serve.