Turkey Kielbasa Pasta Bake Recipe
This Turkey Kielbasa Pasta Bake is an easy, lightened-up comfort food perfect for the whole family. Featuring lean turkey kielbasa and al dente penne pasta tossed in a rich, flavorful cream sauce made with milk and vegetable broth, then topped with gooey mozzarella cheese and baked until bubbly, this dish offers a healthier twist on classic baked pasta dishes without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Canadian
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for richer flavor)
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
Pasta and Protein
- 3 cups dry penne pasta (275 grams, high fibre optional)
- 2 cups turkey kielbasa, halved and sliced (280 grams, fully cooked)
Topping
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if baking immediately. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish for assembling the pasta bake.
- Sauté Onion: Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Make Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter and onion mixture, stirring continuously until no white streaks remain. Cook this roux for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Thicken Sauce: Whisk in the whole milk and vegetable broth slowly while stirring constantly. Continue cooking over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce thickens, cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, thickened cream sauce, and sliced turkey kielbasa. Stir well to evenly coat all components.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Cool and Store (Optional): You may also allow the dish to cool and then cover tightly to refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, thaw if frozen, add a splash of broth or water to keep moist, top with cheese, and bake until hot and bubbly.
Notes
- For a richer sauce, use half-and-half instead of whole milk.
- Turkey kielbasa is already cooked; no need to pre-cook it before baking.
- You can brown the kielbasa slices in a skillet for added texture and flavor if desired.
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy after baking.
- Make ahead tip: Assemble without the cheese, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours or freeze up to 3 months. Add cheese and bake when ready.
- Serve with a fresh side salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 2-3 months.
Keywords: Turkey kielbasa pasta bake, baked penne pasta, creamy pasta bake, easy dinner, comfort food, mozzarella pasta bake, healthy pasta bake
Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/turkey-kielbasa-pasta-bake-recipe/
