Easy Turkey Kielbasa Pasta with Broccoli & Peppers

This easy turkey kielbasa pasta is one of those dinners that doesn’t need to be complicated to be good. I’ve been making this pasta for my family for years, and it’s always been one of those easy meals my kids love.

This easy turkey kielbasa pasta is filled with browned sausage, bell pepper, broccoli and fresh tomatoes, all tossed together with penne and a homemade Italian dressing. It’s colorful, filling and comes together quickly enough for a busy school or sports night.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Kielbasa Pasta

This is one of those recipes that works so well for busy nights because there isn’t much prep and everything comes together quickly.

The turkey kielbasa is already cooked, so it only needs a few minutes in the skillet to get nicely browned. The broccoli cooks right in the pot with the pasta, which means one less pan to wash, and the tomatoes are tossed in at the very end so they stay fresh.

The homemade Italian dressing is what pulls everything together. It’s bright, tangy and full of Italian herbs, and it takes just a few minutes to prepare.

Simple Ingredients

You’ll need:

• Penne pasta
• Turkey Polska kielbasa
• Bell pepper – your color of choice
• Broccoli florets
• Grape tomatoes
• Homemade Robust Italian Dressing

It’s a simple ingredient list, but there are plenty of flavors and textures in every bite.

Homemade Italian Dressing

This homemade dressing gives the pasta a garlicky, herby flavor using avocado oil, vinegar, honey and dried herbs. There are no complicated ingredients, and it takes just a few minutes to shake everything together in a jar. One batch makes approximately the amount you’ll need for this pasta recipe.

An Easy Trick for Cooking the Broccoli

One of my favorite parts of this recipe is that you don’t need to cook the broccoli separately. During the last four minutes of the pasta cooking time, simply add the broccoli florets directly to the pot. The broccoli cooks while the pasta finishes, and then you drain everything together. It’s such an easy shortcut and means one less pot or pan to clean.

Perfect for Busy Weeknights

This is exactly the kind of dinner I come back to during busy weeks. There’s no complicated sauce to make, the vegetables are built right into the meal, and it’s filling enough to serve as dinner on its own. You can prep the vegetables earlier in the day, which makes dinner even faster when everyone is coming and going. And because everything gets tossed together in one big skillet at the end, it’s also an easy meal to get onto the table quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this with regular kielbasa? Absolutely. I usually use turkey Polska kielbasa, but regular kielbasa will work too. Just keep in mind that traditional kielbasa may release a little more fat as it browns.

Can I use a different pasta shape? Yes. Penne works especially well because it holds onto the dressing, but rotini, rigatoni, bow ties or another short pasta would also work.

Can I use frozen broccoli? Fresh broccoli gives you the best texture, but frozen broccoli can work in a pinch. Because frozen broccoli cooks more quickly, add it a little later so it doesn’t become too soft.

Can I make the Italian dressing ahead of time? Yes. The flavor gets even better after the herbs have had some time to sit in the dressing. Make it earlier in the day or the day before and store it covered in the refrigerator. Short on time? Buy store bought Italian dressing.

Can I make this pasta ahead of time? I think this pasta is best served immediately while everything is warm and the tomatoes are still fresh. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, although the pasta will absorb some of the dressing as it sits.

Living Layered

Turkey Kielbasa Pasta with Broccoli & Peppers

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Italian Dressing

• 1 cup avocado oil
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tbs white wine vinegar
• 1 tbs honey
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 3/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Ingredients for Pasta

• 1 16oz box penne pasta
• 2 turkey polska kielbasa sausages
• 1 bell pepper, diced – your choice of color
• 1 cup broccoli florets, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 1/2 cup Italian dressing

Equipment

• large pasta pot
• colander
• large skillet
• Cutting Board
• knife
• glass jar with lid

Method

 

Make the Dressing:

1. Add all ingredients to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake very well until combined.
2. Let the dressing sit for at least 30 minutes before using so the dried herbs soften and the flavors blend. Shake again before adding it to your pasta.
3. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
4. For the Pasta

Cook the pasta:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to the package directions.

Prepare the kielbasa:

1. While the pasta cooks, cut each turkey kielbasa sausage in half lengthwise and then slice crosswise into half-moon pieces.

Brown the kielbasa:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the kielbasa and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned around the edges.

Add the peppers and dressing:

1. Add the diced red bell pepper and homemade Italian dressing to the skillet. Reduce the heat slightly and allow everything to gently simmer together while the pasta finishes cooking.

Cook the broccoli with the pasta:

1. During the last 4 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the broccoli florets directly to the pasta water.

Drain the pasta and broccoli:

1. Drain the pasta and broccoli well. Add back into the pot along with the kielbasa, peppers, and dressing from the skillet.

Add the tomatoes

1. Add the halved grape tomatoes and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.

Serve:

1. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Cutting the kielbasa in half lengthwise before slicing gives you more surface area to brown, which adds a lot of flavor.

Don’t add the tomatoes until the very end. They’ll warm slightly from the pasta without becoming soft or breaking down.

A Simple Dinner the Whole Family Loves

Sometimes the recipes that stay in our regular dinner rotation aren’t the complicated ones. They’re the easy meals everyone eats without complaint and that you know you can pull together on a busy night.

This turkey kielbasa pasta has been one of those meals for us. It’s simple, colorful, filling and made with a homemade Italian dressing using ingredients I feel good about serving.

If you’re looking for an easy pasta dinner for a busy weeknight, save this one. I have a feeling it may become one of those recipes you come back to again and again.

For more easy dinner ideas, try my Crockpot Pulled Pork, which can be turned into several different meals throughout the week, or my Greek Chicken Gyro-Style Smashed Tacos for another quick family favorite. And if you’re in the mood for something fresh and lighter, Shrimp Tacos with creamy Avocado Sauce is one of our favorites too.

If you make this pasta, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, save the recipe for a busy weeknight, and share it with someone who is always looking for another easy dinner idea.