Cheesy Kielbasa Skillet (Print Page)

Smoky kielbasa, tender potatoes, and melted cheddar in one hearty skillet. Ready in 35 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz kielbasa sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 lb baby potatoes, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

06 - 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - ½ tsp black pepper
10 - ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
11 - ½ tsp dried thyme

→ Optional Garnish

12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
02 - Add the butter to the skillet. Sauté the diced onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the sliced potatoes and season with smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and dried thyme. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
04 - Return the browned kielbasa to the skillet and toss to combine. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
05 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, which means cleanup is almost nonexistent on a Tuesday night when you can barely keep your eyes open.
  • The combination of smoky sausage and melted cheddar over tender potatoes hits every comfort food craving at once without requiring any fancy technique.
02 -
  • Do not rush the potato step by cranking the heat because the outside will burn before the inside softens and there is no rescuing that situation.
  • Covering the skillet while the potatoes cook is the secret to getting them tender without drying them out so resist the urge to keep peeking.
03 -
  • Slice all your vegetables and sausage before you turn on the stove because once things start moving this recipe goes fast and you do not want to be chopping garlic while onions are burning.
  • Let the kielbasa slices sit undisturbed in the hot pan for that first minute because the caramelized crust is where half the flavor lives.

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