Description
Comfort meets convenience in this kielbasa pasta, blending smoky sausage with creamy cheese in a quick Instant Pot marvel. Hearty ingredients and bold flavors merge seamlessly, offering you a satisfying meal that’s ready in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 packages (12 ounces / 340 grams) kielbasa, sliced
- 16 ounces (454 grams) penne pasta
- 4 cups (450 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 1/2 cups (225 grams) diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 410 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Instructions
- Activate the Instant Pot’s sauté mode at medium-high heat. Add kielbasa slices and caramelize for 3-4 minutes until edges turn golden brown, releasing deep smoky undertones. Transfer browned sausage to a separate plate.
- In the same pot, sauté diced onions, scraping any caramelized bits from the bottom. Cook until onions become translucent and soft, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Deactivate sauté function and layer uncooked penne pasta directly into the pot. Pour chicken broth over pasta, ensuring most pasta is submerged. Do not stir at this stage to prevent potential scorching.
- Gently spread diced tomatoes across the pasta surface without mixing. Secure Instant Pot lid, set to high pressure, and cook for 4 minutes. Allow 5-7 minutes for pressure to build.
- Perform a quick pressure release after cooking. Open lid carefully, avoiding steam. Stir pasta thoroughly to combine ingredients. Mix in milk and cheddar cheese until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Reintroduce reserved kielbasa, folding gently into the cheesy pasta mixture. Let sit for 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving hot.
Notes
- Enhance sausage flavor by thoroughly browning kielbasa before removing from pot, developing deep caramelized notes that elevate overall dish complexity.
- Prevent pasta sticking by carefully layering ingredients without stirring, ensuring even cooking and preventing burnt bottom in Instant Pot.
- Customize protein options by substituting kielbasa with turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or vegetarian sausage alternatives for dietary preferences.
- Adjust cheese consistency by using different cheese blends like pepper jack for heat, or adding cream cheese for extra richness and smoothness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 493
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1120 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg