I enjoy preparing recipes that bring simple ingredients together in unexpected ways. This Instant Pot Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta features hearty kielbasa, tender pasta, and a rich combination of cheddar and parmesan cheeses. The garlic powder and smoked paprika add a hint of spice, making it one of my favorite weeknight Instapot dinners.

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I recently discovered a wickedly tasty recipe that I just had to share. I love tweaking my dinners and this Instant Pot Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta is a game changer.

I start off by cooking 1 lb of kielbasa sausage cut into bite size pieces, mixing it with 8 oz uncooked pasta so it all cooks evenly in the pot. I then pour in 2 cups of chicken broth along with 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of whole milk to get that rich sauce going.

The best part is stirring in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese until it all melts together perfectly. I also add in 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and a pinch of 1/2 tsp smoked paprika along with salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe totally impresses on busy weeknight dinners and gives you an effortless cooking experience.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe for many reasons. First, I love that it comes together super quick in the Instant Pot. It makes dinner easy when i dont have a ton of time to cook. Second, the cheesy sauce is seriously amazing – it’s so creamy and melty that i always end up licking the bowl clean. Third, i really dig the flavor combo, especially how the kielbasa gives off a nice, smoky vibe that totally mixes with the garlic and spices. Lastly, i like that i can tweak the seasonings a bit to suit my mood, so it never gets boring.

Here’s how i usually make it: I start off by heating a bit of olive oil in the Instant Pot on saute mode. Once it’s hot, i toss in the kielbasa pieces and let em brown for a few minutes until they’re just a little bit crispy around the edges. Then i pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and whole milk and stir in the uncooked pasta so everything’s evenly mixed. I add garlic powder, onion powder, a little smoked paprika for extra flavor, plus salt and pepper to taste. I close the lid, make sure the valve is sealed, and set it to high pressure for about 4 minutes. When the timer goes off, i do a quick release of the steam (careful not to burn myself!) and then open up the lid. I stir in the shredded cheddar and parmesan cheeses until they melt into a thick, creamy sauce. I leave it a couple of minutes to let the sauce set up a bit more before i give it a final stir and dig in. Honestly, its one of my go-to comfort meals, and i love making it over and over again.

Ingredients

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Kielbasa sausage gives you quality protein and a smoky, hearty flavor.
Pasta supplies essential carbohydrates for energy and a satisfying chewy texture.
Heavy cream adds a rich creaminess and smooth mouthfeel though its high in fat.
Cheddar cheese offers a tangy flavor, gooey texture, and a good dose of calcium.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb kielbasa sausage, cut into pieces about half an inch thick

8 oz uncooked pasta (like penne or rigatoni works well)

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp smoked paprika (if you like extra flavor)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

How to Make this

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1. Turn on you Instant Pot to the saute mode and add the olive oil. Let it heat up for a minute.

2. Toss in the kielbasa pieces and cook ’em for about 3-4 minutes till they get lightly browned.

3. Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and whole milk, then mix in the uncooked pasta evenly.

4. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir so all the flavors start blending.

5. Close the Instant Pot lid properly and set it to high pressure for 4 minutes. (Make sure the valve is sealed.)

6. When the cooking time is up, carefully use a quick release to let out all the steam.

7. Open the lid and stir the pasta gently, watching out for any pockets of liquid.

8. Now add in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated parmesan cheese. Stir until they melt into a creamy sauce.

9. Let the dish sit in the pot for a couple of minutes so the sauce thickens up a bit more.

10. Give it a final stir, taste, adjust the seasoning if needed, and serve it hot. Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot (with its lid and sealing valve)
2. Knife (to cut the kielbasa)
3. Cutting board
4. Measuring cups (for the chicken broth, cream, and milk)
5. Measuring spoons (for the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper)
6. Stirring spoon (or spatula)

FAQ

What kind of pasta works best for this recipe?

Short pasta like penne or rigatoni works best because they hold onto the sauce real good.

Can i use a different sausage?

Yup, you can swap the kielbasa for another smoked sausage, but it might change the flavor a little bit.

How do i avoid mushy pasta in the Instant Pot?

Make sure you dont overcook the pasta and follow the timing correctly; give it a quick mix after the pressure release to keep it firm.

What should i do if i dont have heavy cream?

You can use a bit more whole milk mixed with a little butter, but it may not be as creamy then the original version.

Can i add veggies to this recipe?

Sure, adding some spinach or roasted bell peppers is a great idea to boost the flavor and nutrition without messin up the dish.

Instant Pot Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

For the kielbasa, if you cant get your hands on it, try using smoked sausage or chorizo instead for a similar smoky flavor.
If you dont have heavy cream, you can substitute it with half-and-half mixed with a teaspoon of flour to thicken it up a bit.
You can swap whole milk for low fat milk, but you might need to add a little extra butter to keep the creaminess.
If cheddar cheese isnt available, Monterey Jack or even a blend of mozzarella and a bit of sharp cheddar should work well.
For parmesan cheese, you can use Asiago or Romano as a replacement and still get that nice, salty kick.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure that you give the kielbasa a good sear before mixing in the liquids. Browning not only brings out a richer flavour but also helps lock in the juices, so don’t skimp on that step.
2. When using the quick release, be super careful and let the steam out slowly so you dont accidentally burn yourself or overcook the pasta.
3. Once you add in the cheeses, let the dish sit for a few extra minutes after stirring. This helps everything melt together evenly and thickens the sauce up a bit.
4. Taste as you go and don’t be afraid to add a pinch more salt or pepper. The cheese and spices can always balance out more, so adjust the seasoning at the end to make sure it’s just right.

Instant Pot Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

1120

kcal

Equipment: 1. Instant Pot (with its lid and sealing valve)
2. Knife (to cut the kielbasa)
3. Cutting board
4. Measuring cups (for the chicken broth, cream, and milk)
5. Measuring spoons (for the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper)
6. Stirring spoon (or spatula)

Ingredients

1 lb kielbasa sausage, cut into pieces about half an inch thick
8 oz uncooked pasta (like penne or rigatoni works well)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (if you like extra flavor)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

Turn on you Instant Pot to the saute mode and add the olive oil. Let it heat up for a minute.
Toss in the kielbasa pieces and cook 'em for about 3-4 minutes till they get lightly browned.
Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and whole milk, then mix in the uncooked pasta evenly.
Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir so all the flavors start blending.
Close the Instant Pot lid properly and set it to high pressure for 4 minutes. (Make sure the valve is sealed.)
When the cooking time is up, carefully use a quick release to let out all the steam.
Open the lid and stir the pasta gently, watching out for any pockets of liquid.
Now add in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated parmesan cheese. Stir until they melt into a creamy sauce.
Let the dish sit in the pot for a couple of minutes so the sauce thickens up a bit more.
Give it a final stir, taste, adjust the seasoning if needed, and serve it hot. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.