Cheesy Kielbasa Skillet (Print Version)
Smoky kielbasa with tender potatoes and melted cheddar, all cooked in one skillet for a hearty weeknight meal.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz kielbasa sausage, cut 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 fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the sliced kielbasa in an even layer and cook for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely browned on both sides. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
02 - Melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the sliced potatoes to the skillet along with the smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and dried thyme. Toss to coat evenly. Cover with a lid 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 with the vegetables. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly across the top. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
05 - Scatter chopped fresh parsley over the top, if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet which means cleanup is almost embarrassingly easy.
- The combination of smoky sausage and melted cheddar over tender potatoes is pure comfort without any fuss.
02 -
- Slice the potatoes uniformly thin or you will end up with some perfectly tender pieces and others that are still crunchy in the center.
- Resist the urge to stir constantly while the potatoes cook because letting them sit undisturbed builds a golden crust.
03 -
- Pat the kielbasa slices dry with a paper towel before browning so they sear instead of steaming in their own liquid.
- Use a skillet that has a tight fitting lid because trapping the steam is what makes the potatoes tender without burning the bottom.