Kitchen notes · a little help before you start

Turkey Kielbasa Pasta Bake

Name: Turkey Kielbasa Pasta Bake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: ¼ cup salted butter; 1 each small onion; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ cup all purpose flour; 2 cups whole milk (you can use half and half for a richer flavor); 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth; 3 cups dry penne pasta (high fibre if desired 275 grams); 2 cups turkey kielbasa (halved and sliced 280 grams); 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

This is a good dinner for anyone who heads straight for the bubbly cheese on top. Underneath, penne and sliced kielbasa are tucked into a creamy sauce, with plenty to scoop into each bowl. It has that familiar, comforting pasta-bake appeal from the very first serving.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 50 min
Total: 60 min
Original yield: Serves 6
Ingredients: 12 listed

Make it part of your week

Estimating…

Main courseAmericanCanadianTurkeyPrep: 15 minutes or lessTotal: 31–60 minutesBakingPastaBaked & roasted

Recipe categories & planning details

Meal type: Main course
Primary protein: Turkey
Cuisine: American · Canadian
Cooking method: Baking · Baked & roasted
Preparation & total time: Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 31–60 minutes
Dish type: Pasta

A few quick notes

1. Soften the onion first

Let the onion soften and turn translucent before stirring in the garlic and seasonings.

2. Whisk the sauce as it thickens

Stir constantly after adding milk and broth, cooking until the sauce has thickened.

3. Drain the pasta

Cook the penne to al dente according to its package before combining it with sauce and kielbasa.

Get to know the ingredients

Sliced turkey kielbasa

The kielbasa is halved and sliced before it goes into the baking dish.

Milk or half-and-half

The milk entry offers half-and-half as an alternative for a richer sauce.

Mozzarella on top

Keep the shredded mozzarella for the topping after combining the pasta, sauce and sausage.

The last little job

Look for bubbling sauce

Bake the cheese-topped pasta until bubbly, following the stated oven setting and baking window.

A little more help as you go

Cook the flour briefly

Stir until the white flour streaks disappear, then give the mixture its stated minute of cooking.

Reheat thawed leftovers

For frozen leftovers, the storage note says to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating until hot.

A few questions you might have

Should the pasta go in dry?

No, cook it to al dente and drain it before assembling the bake.

When does the cheese go in?

Sprinkle it over the combined pasta, sauce and kielbasa just before baking.

Can I use half-and-half?

Yes, that alternative is explicitly offered in the milk ingredient entry.

How long does the sauce take to thicken?

The directions give about five to ten minutes while stirring constantly over medium heat.

How should I warm frozen leftovers?

Thaw them in the refrigerator, then microwave or warm on the stove until heated through.

Any more cooking tips?

Storage: Leftover baked pasta will last in an airtight container for in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then microwave or warm on the stove until heated through.

Storage & reheating safety

For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.

These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures

Recipe source: thereciperebel.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.

Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.

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