This kielbasa noodle casserole is packed with cheesy macaroni, kielbasa sausage, fresh veggies, and a made-from-scratch cheese sauce, all topped with crispy breadcrumbs. It’s the best weeknight family dinner!
Table of Contents
This recipe is a total winner, especially for those who are looking for a tasty variation of the ever-popular crockpot mac and cheese with Velveeta. It’s like the best of both worlds, with all the creaminess of mac and cheese but with added flavors from the kielbasa and veggies.
Love hearty casseroles? Then try my taco casserole, jiffy cornbread casserole, or Hunter’s casserole! They’re all about hearty, family-friendly flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food: This kielbasa noodle casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with hearty ingredients like kielbasa and broccoli, making it the perfect meal for a cozy night in. It’s my go-to comfort food recipe!
- Hearty: Kielbsa makes this casserole a hearty, filling meal that’s perfect for the colder months.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble and refrigerate the casserole and simply add 10 extra minutes of bake time when you’re ready to pop it in the oven!
- Flavor-Packed: Kielbasa combined with the creamy cheese sauce, adds a ton of flavor to this casserole! Everyone in the family loves it.
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Key Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni: These will be the base of our casserole, soaking up all the delicious cheese sauce and adding a nice, chewy texture.
- Broccoli Florets: They will add a pop of color and a fresh, slightly bitter flavor that pairs perfectly with the richness of the cheese and kielbasas.
- Green Onion: These will add a mild, onion flavor and a nice crunch to the casserole.
- Red Bell Pepper: They will add a sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a beautiful pop of color to the dish.
- Butter: We’ll use this to sauté the vegetables, which will bring out their flavors and make them extra delicious.
- Kielbasas: These are the star of the show, adding a smoky, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the cheesy noodles.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: This will be the base of our cheese sauce, adding a rich, tangy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture.
- Whole Milk: This will help to thin out the cheese sauce and make it creamy and lusciously smooth.
- Cream Cheese: It will add a tangy flavor and an extra creamy texture to the cheese sauce.
- Ground Mustard: This will add a pop of flavor to the cheese sauce and help to cut through the richness of the other ingredients.
- Salt and Pepper: These will help to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients and add a bit of depth to the dish.
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan – You’ll need this to boil the macaroni and make the cheese sauce. Make sure it’s a medium-sized one to accommodate the ingredients.
- Microwave-Safe Bowl – This is for melting the cheese and combining it with the other sauce ingredients. Make sure it’s microwave-safe to avoid any accidents.
- Medium Baking Dish – This is where you’ll combine all the ingredients and bake the casserole.
How to Make Kielbasa Noodle Casserole
Preparation
Start by boiling water with salt in a medium saucepan. Chop the broccoli, green onions, and red bell pepper and set it aside for now.
Step 1 – Cook the Macaroni
Start by cooking the macaroni. Add macaroni to the pot of salted boiling water and cook until they are just slightly firm. This should take about 5-6 minutes. Then, drain the macaroni noodles and set them aside.
Step 2 – Sauté Vegetables and Kielbasa
In a pan, sauté chopped vegetables in butter. After about 5 minutes, add the chopped kielbasa to the pan and sauté for another 5 minutes, until the kielbase is crispy and the broccoli looks roasted. Set the pan aside.
Step 3 – Make the Cheese Sauce
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix the cheddar cheese, whole milk, sour cream, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. Microwave this mixture in one-minute intervals until the sauce is melted and creamy. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
Step 4 – Assemble the Casserole
Combine the cooked macaroni with the sauté vegetables and kielbasa. Pour the cheese sauce over this mixture and stir well. Then, transfer everything to a baking dish.
Step 5 – Bake the Casserole
Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top of the casserole and bake it at 350˚ F for 20 minutes. Your kielbasa noodle casserole is ready to serve.
Expert Tip
To ensure a creamy and delicious texture in your Kielbasa noodle casserole, do not overcook your macaroni. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so it’s best to drain them when they’re still al dente.
Recipe Variations
- Different Cheese: While this recipe calls for sharp cheddar, feel free to mix it up with other cheeses. Gouda, mozzarella, or even a bit of blue cheese can add a great flavor to your casserole.
- Spicier: If you like a little heat, consider adding some chopped jalapenos or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the casserole.
- Change the Pasta: While the recipe calls for elbow macaroni, like hamburger noodle casserole, you can use any short pasta like penne or rotini. This is a great way to customize the dish to your family’s preferences.
What to Serve With
- This kielbasa noodle casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can also pair it with a side of fresh green salad for a well-rounded dinner.
- If you’re serving a crowd, you can make a larger batch of this casserole and serve it buffet-style with some dinner rolls and a selection of roasted vegetables.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! This recipe works well with other types of pasta like penne, rotini, or farfalle. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
If you’re not a fan of kielbase, you can use other types of sausage like andouille or chorizo. You can also substitute with ham or bacon for a different flavor.
While the recipe calls for sharp cheddar, you can definitely use a different type of cheese. Mild cheddar, Colby, or gouda would all work well. Just make sure to use a cheese that melts easily for a creamy sauce.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: Leftover kielbasa noodle casserole can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- Freezing: This casserole is freezer-friendly. Make as directed but do not bake. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, let thaw in the refrigerator for 12 hours (or overnight). Bake as directed, adding 10 additional minutes of bake time. Remember that cheesy sauces like this are not as creamy after being frozen. However, the flavor will still be unique.
More Elbow Macaroni Noodle Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This kielbasa noodle casserole recipe yields a hearty dish that can serve six people.
- How to Scale: If you’re expecting more than six people, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. You may need to use a larger casserole dish or divide the mixture into two dishes to ensure it cooks evenly.
Macaroni Casserole with Kielbasa Sausage
Equipment
- 1 10×7 or medium baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 Cups elbow macaroni noodles uncooked
- 1 1/2 Cups broccoli florets fresh
- 1/2 Cup green onion
- 1/4 Cup red bell pepper
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 6 oz. kielbasa sausage
Cheese Sauce
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 Cup whole milk
- 1/2 Cup sour cream
- 1/4 Cup cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Topping
- 1/2 Cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
Casserole Base
- Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Grease a 10×7 or medium baking pan.
- Boil well-salted water and cook 2 cups of macaroni until al dente (5-6 minutes). Drain.
- Chop raw broccoli, green onion, and red bell pepper. Sauté them all in the butter for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
- Chop 6 oz. of high-quality kielbasa and add to the pan of vegetables. Sauté for another 5 minutes or until crispy edges start to form on the meat and the broccoli appears roasted. Set the pan aside.
Cheese Sauce
- Combine the sharp cheddar cheese, whole milk, sour cream, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and ground mustard in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for one-minute increments until the sauce is melted and creamy (about 3-5 minutes)
Assemble Casserole
- Add your cooked macaroni to the pan of veggies and kielbasa. Pour over the cheese sauce and mix well. Add to a medium baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Top with panko breadcrumbs and bake uncovered at 350˚ F for 20 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to share better pictures and instructions.
