Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet Recipe
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that comes together quickly and vanishes even faster, the Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet is your answer. This dish has it all: smoky kielbasa, pillowy cheese tortellini, a dreamy cheddar cream sauce, and sweet pops of green peas, all simmered together in a single skillet. It’s the kind of hearty, cozy meal you crave on a busy weeknight, with a flavor kids and adults both adore. Plus, there’s only one pan to wash at the end—talk about dinnertime magic!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this skillet dinner is delightfully uncomplicated. Each one brings something special: savory meatiness, melty richness, or a burst of color. Don’t be tempted to skip or swap too much; every component helps create the delicious harmony that makes the Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet irresistible.
- Kielbasa: Slice this smoked sausage thinly; it infuses the whole skillet with a deep, savory flavor and a satisfying chew.
- Water: Needed to cook your tortellini right in the pan, making clean-up a breeze while keeping everything extra flavorful.
- Cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen): These cheesy gems turn every bite into pure comfort; frozen works beautifully if you can’t find fresh.
- Garlic powder: Adds mellow, round warmth without any chopping or mincing.
- Paprika: Lends color and a subtle smoky note that brings out the best in both sausage and cheese.
- Dried minced onions: Sweet, savory, and super convenient—they practically dissolve into the sauce.
- Dijon mustard: A flavor “secret weapon” that wakes up the whole dish, making the sauce bright and complex.
- Frozen peas: Tossed in at the end for freshness and a little pop of sweet green.
- Heavy cream: This makes your sauce luscious and velvety; don’t be shy with it.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded cheese is best for gooey melting and robust flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Finish with these essentials for perfectly balanced seasoning.
- Chopped parsley (optional): A shower of green at the end brightens everything up.
How to Make Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet
Step 1: Sauté the Kielbasa
Start by heating your largest skillet or a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced kielbasa straight into the dry pan—no oil needed! As it cooks for 3 to 5 minutes, you’ll see the edges begin to brown and smell that tempting smoky aroma. This quick sear builds the deeply savory base for your Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet.
Step 2: Add Tortellini and Seasonings
Time for the main event: pour in the cheese tortellini (no need to thaw if frozen), followed by water, dried minced onion, paprika, and garlic powder. Give it a good stir, making sure the tortellini are mostly submerged so they’ll cook evenly and absorb all those delicious flavors.
Step 3: Simmer Under a Lid
Turn the heat up to high and place the lid on your skillet. As the mixture simmers, the tortellini cook gently, soaking up the seasoned mixture. Check and stir every so often—after about 8 to 10 minutes, your kitchen will smell incredible and the tortellini should be just about tender.
Step 4: Add the Frozen Peas
Once the tortellini are nearly cooked, stir in the frozen peas. These only need a minute or two and will turn perfectly bright and tender with the residual steam. It’s amazing how much freshness this single step adds to your Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet.
Step 5: Reduce Liquid Slightly
Remove the lid and let the skillet bubble for a few more minutes, so some of the extra liquid can evaporate. This step thickens your sauce base, making every bite creamy and rich instead of soupy.
Step 6: Stir in Mustard, Cream, and Cheese
Now for the magic: reduce the heat to medium-low, then add Dijon mustard, heavy cream, and that luscious, freshly shredded cheddar. Stir everything together until the cheddar just starts to melt and blend with the cream into a sauce that’s smooth and dreamy.
Step 7: Finish the Creamy Sauce
Keep stirring on gentle heat for another 2 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and your sauce is silky and clings to every morsel. It’s important not to let the skillet boil too wildly at this point—just let the sauce come together slowly for best results.
Step 8: Season and Garnish
Taste and see if your Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet needs an extra pinch of salt or pepper. Scatter chopped parsley over the top if you’ve got it, for a burst of color and a hint of herbaceous lift.
Step 9: Serve Hot!
Ladle this gooey, creamy, sausage-laden wonder onto plates and enjoy it piping hot. Watch how fast it disappears—second helpings are all but guaranteed.
How to Serve Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or even thinly sliced scallions just before serving. For extra elegance on the table, a touch more cheddar or cracked black pepper on top of each portion makes your Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This skillet meal is already a star on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies is a lovely touch. If you’re feeding a crowd, nestle a warm loaf of garlic bread or a simple baguette alongside for mopping up every drop of cheesy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon the skillet right from the pan onto a big platter family-style, or portion it out into individual gratin dishes for a cozy dinner party vibe. For busy weeknights, I love packing leftovers into meal prep containers—your Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet reheats beautifully as a work lunch, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It stays fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to three days, making it a fantastic choice for make-ahead dinners or lunches.
Freezing
While the creamy sauce is at its best fresh, you can freeze leftovers for up to a month if needed. Seal it tightly in freezer-safe containers. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat your Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often and adding a splash of milk or water if needed to return it to its creamy consistency. Short bursts in the microwave also work well; just cover the container and stir halfway through for even warming.
FAQs
Does this work with other kinds of sausage?
Absolutely! While kielbasa offers a signature smoky flavor, you can use smoked turkey sausage, andouille, or even a plant-based sausage if you prefer. Just be sure to use a fully cooked variety for best results.
Can I use frozen cheese tortellini?
Yes, frozen tortellini is perfect in this recipe. There’s no need to thaw it beforehand—just add a couple of extra minutes to the simmering time if needed so it cooks through completely.
How spicy is the final dish?
This version is fairly mild, relying on paprika and mustard to add complexity rather than heat. If you like it spicier, try adding a pinch of cayenne or use a spicy kielbasa for extra kick.
Can I lighten it up with half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
You can substitute half-and-half for the cream, but the sauce may be a bit thinner. For the creamiest texture (and the true Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet experience!), heavy cream is recommended, but feel free to experiment for a lighter twist.
What type of cheddar cheese is best?
Freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese from a block melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, and its bold flavor stands up beautifully to the kielbasa and tortellini. White or yellow cheddar both work well, so use your favorite!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet enough. It’s the kind of meal that saves the day when you want maximum flavor and comfort with minimum fuss. Give it a try, share it with your favorite people, and watch it become a regular star in your dinner rotation!
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Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
This Easy One Pot Creamy Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet recipe is a quick and delicious dish perfect for busy weeknights. Creamy cheese tortellini cooked in a rich and flavorful sauce with kielbasa and peas, all in one skillet.
Ingredients
Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet:
- 1 pound kielbasa, thinly sliced (smoked or turkey)
- 2 cups water
- 1 (20-ounce) package cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onions
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 cup frozen peas
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded off the block
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced kielbasa and cook for about 3–5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add the tortellini, water, dried minced onions, paprika, and garlic powder to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Cover and simmer until tortellini is almost done, about 8–10 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in frozen peas and cook for another minute.
- Step 5: Reduce liquids slightly with the lid off over medium-low heat.
- Step 6: Add Dijon mustard, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. Stir well.
- Step 7: Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy, about 2–4 minutes.
- Step 8: Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley if desired.
- Step 9: Serve hot.
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: Kielbasa Tortellini Skillet, One Pot Recipe, Creamy Skillet Dish
