I am becoming a HUGE fan of skillet dinners. They are so fast! When done correctly, they can be pretty freaking fantastic! This Creamy Cajun Pasta Skillet with Kielbasa is one of my favorites. If you like Cajun spices, also try Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta.
Creamy Cajun Pasta Skillet with Kielbasa is an awesome dinner made in about thirty minutes. Serve with a salad and garlic bread and dinner is done. Yes, Please!
I love the little hint of creole spice in this dish. The mushrooms, carrots, onion, and green pepper add the perfect amount of texture and flavor to balance out each bite.
Winner Skillet Recipes
- Zucchini Taco Skillet
- The Best Skillet Potatoes
- Chicken Taco and Rice Skillet
- Skillet Taco and Rice Dinner
- Million Dollar Zucchini Skillet
- Chicken Zucchini Skillet with Cannellini Beans
I love to add lots of veggies when I make skillet dinners. My kids eat them well this way. I cut the veggies large enough, so if someone has a real aversion to mushrooms, they can pick them out and give them to their mother, who LOVES them.
The coolest thing about this quick and easy dinner is that the creamy-ness factor comes from a scoop of cream cheese, instead of heavy whipping cream. The sour cream not only cuts back on the calories but adds a tiny zip that will have you drooling for more.
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY CAJUN PASTA SKILLET WITH KIELBASA
- In a large, deep frying pan with a tight-fitting lid, brown kielbasa in 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Add onion, green pepper, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic. Sprinkle with 1 tsp cajun seasoning and sauté for an additional 5-7 minutes or until mostly tender.
- Add water, chicken bullion, and dry spaghetti noodles broken into thirds.
- Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover. Simmer for 14 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Remove from heat.
- Add parsley and cream cheese. Stir until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Enjoy!
Tips for making Creamy Cajun Pasta Skillet with Kielbasa
- I use regular smoked Kielbasa sausage, but I am sure turkey kielbasa would work great and cut back on calories. If using raw Kielbasa, cook the sausage according to directions on the package before using it in this recipe.
- Also, when I do skillet pasta dinners, I tend to favor spaghetti noodles. They cook nice and evenly. However, feel free to experiment with different types of pasta. Just make sure to adjust cooking time accordingly.
- I like to go heavy on veggies. You can cut the number of veggies in half if you like. If you reduce the veggies, add 2-3 Tbsp more water for the noodles to cook in.
- Chicken broth can be used in place of the water and chicken bullion.
Instant Pot Recipes You'll Love
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 12 or 16 oz Smoked Kielbasa (not raw), thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 8 oz package of mushrooms sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 2½ cups water
- 3 tsp chicken bullion
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles, broken into thirds
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened (whipped kind works great)
- 2-3 tbsp dried parsley
- In a large, deep frying pan with a tight-fitting lid, brown kielbasa in 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Add onion, green pepper, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic. Sprinkle with 1 tsp cajun seasoning and sauté for an additional 5-7 minutes or until mostly tender.
- Add water, chicken bullion, and dry spaghetti noodles broken into thirds.
- Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover. Simmer for 14 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Remove from heat.
- Add parsley and cream cheese. Stir until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Enjoy!
Dessert to drool over
I’ve been wanting to make this for a long time and finally did last night. It was a hit!
Yay! That makes me so happy!
I just wanted to tell you that my husband and I have been making this about once a week for the last three months, and it’s definitely one of my favorite dinners, hands down! We use a variety of raw sausages (kielbasa, Italian, even breakfast!) and just cook them about halfway through, and then proceed pet the recipe. It ALWAYS turns out great! Thank you so much for this family favorite!!
Yay! This makes me so happy Sara, and also reminds me that it has been way to long since I have made this yummy dish! So glad you love it!
Making this tonight, didn’t have carrots so I used tomatoes. Looks yummy so far. thanks
Awesome! Hope it turned out great!
I was looking for a different way to make kielbasa. This was delicious!! I will be making it again. Thank you for sharing!
Awesome! I’m so glad you found this recipe! Glad you liked it!
Can I use chicken broth instead of bullion?
Hi Lauren, Yes you can.
Can you use another seasoning if Cajun isn’t a like? Thank you
Hi Stephanie, yes if cajun isn’t a a flavor you like, you can use garlic salt, or old bay. Another option is throwing in some parmesan cheese when you stir in the cream cheese.
Finally tried this recipe! We really enjoyed it and the flavor! So delicious and I like to sprinkle parmesan on top!! We may have to make it a regular on our menu. #NovemberGiveAway
Awesome! I haven’t made that one for a while! I need to put it on the menu this month, thanks for reminding me about it.