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Close-up of a white plate filled with kielbasa basil pasta, showcasing tender sausage slices and fresh herbs on top.

30-Minute Kielbasa Basil Pasta

A kid-approved 30-minute pasta: sliced kielbasa browned with onion and garlic in a marinara sauce made creamy with a little sour cream and fresh basil, spooned over noodles. Turn it into a cheesy skillet pasta bake in 5 extra minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz elbow, rotini or penne pasta
  • 14 oz kielbasa sliced diagonally
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil minced, divided
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 tablespoons light olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper a pinch
  • 24 oz marinara sauce 1 jar, or homemade
  • 1/2 cup light sour cream
  • mozzarella and Parmesan optional, for the pasta bake version

Method
 

  1. Start the pasta cooking according to the package. Slice the kielbasa, mince the basil and dice the onion.
  2. In a large cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion about 5 minutes until browned at the edges. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
  3. Add the kielbasa and cook 4-5 minutes until it begins to brown. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Add the marinara and half the basil. Heat 2-3 minutes until bubbling, then stir in the sour cream and turn the heat to low.
  5. Spoon the sauce over the drained noodles and top with the remaining basil.

Notes

Pasta bake version: stir the cooked noodles into the sauce, top with mozzarella, Parmesan and basil, and bake the skillet at 350°F about 5 minutes until the cheese melts.