li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious Recipe
If you’re ever hunting for a weeknight dinner that feels just a little over-the-top while taking almost no time at all, this li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious recipe has you covered! Picture this: smoky slices of kielbasa and vibrant broccoli nestled in a silky cheddar sauce, all tangled with perfectly tender penne. It’s wholesome, cozy, and honestly tastes like something you’d expect to order at a family-owned bistro (but faster, and straight from your kitchen). Every bite truly delivers comfort and flavor in record time—prepare to make this one a regular on your table!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious comes from an unfussy lineup of essential ingredients. Each one pulls its weight—adding texture, depth, and color to achieve that perfect balance of creamy, savory, and fresh. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Penne Pasta: Holds the sauce like a champ and gives a wonderful toothsome bite to the dish.
- Fresh Broccoli Florets: Adds pop, color, and a touch of earthy sweetness that perfectly complements the rich sauce.
- Kielbasa Sausage: Smoky and savory, it’s the flavor-packed protein that anchors the whole skillet.
- Whole Milk: Provides the luscious, creamy backbone for the sauce (don’t swap for skim—trust me!).
- Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese: Melts smoothly into the sauce, delivering rich tang and gorgeous color.
- Unsalted Butter: Helps brown the sausage and makes everything taste just a bit more luxurious.
- Yellow Onion: Generates sweetness and satisfaction with every soft bite.
- Minced Garlic: Gives a fragrant foundation—you’ll know it’s there as soon as it hits the skillet.
- Salt and Pepper: The finishing touches, dialing up the flavors and tying everything together.
How to Make li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious
Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Broccoli
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add your penne pasta and cook according to the package directions. With about two minutes left, toss in the broccoli florets. This shortcut lets the broccoli cook right alongside the pasta, saving you an extra pot and ensuring everything is done at the same time, bright and crisp-tender. Drain both and set them aside while you get the skillet sizzling.
Step 2: Brown the Kielbasa
Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and let it sizzle away for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. You’re looking for that irresistible golden-brown edge which brings out the sausage’s deep smoky notes—the secret to the ultimate li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious flavor punch.
Step 3: Sauté Onion and Garlic
Add the diced onion and minced garlic straight into the skillet with the browned sausage. Give everything a good stir and let it cook for another two to three minutes, just until the onions are soft and the garlic is fragrant. At this stage, your kitchen should smell so good that people start wandering in, asking, “What’s cooking?”
Step 4: Make the Cheddar Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the whole milk until completely blended. Pour this mixture into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom (so much flavor!). Keep stirring as the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens, which should take about three to five minutes. When it coats the back of a spoon, you’re ready to go.
Step 5: Melt in the Cheese
Reduce the skillet heat to low. Sprinkle in the shredded mild cheddar cheese a bit at a time, stirring constantly. As the cheese melts, it creates a ridiculously creamy, velvety sauce—just the thing to bring all the li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious flavors together. You’ll know it’s ready when the sauce is smooth, glossy, and ready for the pasta.
Step 6: Toss and Serve
Add the cooked pasta and broccoli back into the skillet, tossing everything together until the sauce evenly coats every nook and cranny. Hit it with salt and black pepper to taste, sprinkle over a shower of fresh chopped parsley if you like, and serve it up piping hot. Trust me, this is the moment everyone’s been waiting for!
How to Serve li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious
Garnishes
No need to complicate things—a little fresh parsley gives a pop of color and a hint of freshness that balances the creamy sauce. Try a dusting of cracked black pepper, or even a sprinkle of extra cheddar cheese if you have cheese lovers at the table! It’s these little touches that push li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious from great to unforgettable.
Side Dishes
This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but if you’d like to round out the meal, a simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette refreshes the palate. Garlic bread or warm, crusty rolls are ideal for scooping up every last drop of that dreamy sauce—definitely no judgment if you wipe your bowl clean.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting or simply want to make things extra-special, serve li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious in mini cast iron skillets for individual portions. For a fun family-style vibe, bring the whole skillet straight to the table and let everyone help themselves. And if you really want to play with flavor, sprinkle on a few red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce at serving time for a little zesty kick!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftover li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The sauce stays creamy and the flavors just deepen—this makes a dreamy lunch for the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze portions in airtight containers for up to two months. For best results, let the pasta cool completely before freezing and add a splash of milk when reheating, as the sauce may thicken further during storage.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen things up. You can also microwave individual portions (covered) for a couple of minutes, pausing every 30 seconds or so to stir and keep the cheese sauce creamy and dreamy.
FAQs
Can I swap out kielbasa for another protein?
Absolutely! Smoked turkey sausage, Italian sausage, or even rotisserie chicken work beautifully in li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious. Adjust the seasoning as needed, depending on what you choose.
Is it possible to make li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious vegetarian?
Yes—just skip the sausage and add extra broccoli or your favorite plant-based protein. Chickpeas or sautéed mushrooms make fantastic substitutes for that hearty, satisfying texture.
What type of pasta can I use instead of penne?
Fusilli, rotini, or even shells are great options. The key is to pick a short, sturdy pasta that can catch all that luscious cheese sauce in every bite!
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Definitely! Just add the frozen florets in the same way you’d use fresh. They might cook a tad faster, so keep an eye out for that vibrant green color—they’re done when tender but still bright.
How can I lighten up the sauce?
You can swap whole milk for a lower fat option, but the sauce will be less rich. For an extra boost of veggies and a lighter feel, consider adding a handful of baby spinach right at the end of cooking.
Final Thoughts
If you love quick, crispy, bold-flavored comfort food, I can’t recommend li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious enough. It’s a total crowd-pleaser, fast enough for a weeknight but special enough for Sunday supper—so go on and give it a try. You’re just half an hour away from creamy, cheesy happiness!
Print
li Skillet 30 Minutes Ultimate Delicious Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and easy-to-make Creamy Kielbasa Broccoli Skillet recipe that combines tender penne pasta, fresh broccoli, and savory kielbasa sausage in a rich and creamy cheddar cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Penne Pasta:
- 8 ounces of penne pasta
Broccoli Florets:
- 2 cups (182 g) of fresh broccoli florets, quartered
Kielbasa Sausage:
- 13.9-ounce ring of kielbasa sausage, cut into bite-sized slices
Cheese Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups (367.5 g) of whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups (169.5 g) of shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small diced yellow onion (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Boil the penne pasta according to package instructions, adding broccoli in the last 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sear Kielbasa: In a skillet, melt butter and cook kielbasa until lightly browned.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant.
- Make Sauce: Whisk cornstarch into milk, pour into skillet, and simmer until thickened.
- Finish Sauce: Gradually mix in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine and Serve: Add pasta and broccoli to skillet, coat with sauce, season, garnish, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can customize this skillet by adding your favorite vegetables or spices for extra flavor.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture at its finest.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Creamy Kielbasa Broccoli Skillet, Pasta and Kielbasa, Easy Skillet Recipe, Creamy Cheese Sauce
