Pasta is easily my #1 crutch.
It’s just so easy to throw something in with some pasta and have a meal for days. Pasta is a simple starch that is long-lasting and versatile. I know it’s also not good for you, but it makes meal-prepping so much easier.
I’ll be going on the Whole30 diet at the end of the month, so I’ll have to goodbye to my beloved pasta. It’ll be hard, sure, but doable. I guess I can live without that lovely starch.
In anticipation of my carbless life, I’ve been cooking up a lot of carb-loaded meals. This recipe was one I had on the back burner. Man, am I glad I finally made it. If there’s one thing that matches with pasta, it’s sausage.
Kielbasa is the winner in this dish, but the cheese sauce is over-the-top. What a way to sneak in some veggies for the kiddos, too. They’ll see the green peas but won’t question them since they’re enveloped in thick cheese sauce. Throw everything all together and you’ve got yourself a first-rate dinner.
Pasta is dealer’s choice for this one, but I recommend farfalle (bow tie) pasta…that way you can easily spike everything on a fork like a pasta shish-ka-bob. I like cooking my farfalle just to al dente, that way it is still a bit firm when you mix everything together. That’s just what I prefer.
…and now I’m thinking about pasta again. This Whole30 thing is going to be really rough, I can feel it. I love you, pasta! We will meet again. xoxoxo
Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta
Bow tie pasta with kielbasa, peas and mushrooms in a cheesy garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. bow tie pasta, uncooked
- 2 lbs. kielbasa, cut into 1/4″ slices
- 1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 TBS. cornstarch
- 3 cups milk
- 3 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain pasta. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute sausage & mushrooms in butter. Add garlic and cook a few minutes longer.
- Combine the cornstarch and milk in a small bowl, gradually add to the sausage pan. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
- Stir in peas and cheese, cook until cheese is melted.
- Add pasta and stir until well combined. Serve immediately.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute sausage and mushrooms in butter over medium high heat.
Add garlic to sausage mixture and cook a few minutes longer.
Combine cornstarch and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Add to the sausage pan.
Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
Add cheese and peas to skillet.
Stir until cheese is melted.
Add pasta to the skillet and stir until well combined.
Serve immediately with a side salad.
leencuisine.com 
OMW ! I seem to be the only one not doing this Whole 30 thing. All the best with it. Please keep us posted on how you do ! Yes…eat all the carbs, the starch the everything as you are going to be so deprived initially until your body adapts to Whole 30.
As for this pasta dish,….divine, and the simplicity of it is awesome. I love those little bow pasta goodies, I have some in my cupboard just waiting to be devoured, now I have the perfect meal for them. Thank you 🙂
Bow ties are fabulous! And I’m going to need all the help I can get for Whole30 😬 Scared because I love pasta and carbs so much!!
Yes, it’s going to be a tough one, but you can do it. I will be thinking of you !
Thank you!
Looks yumolicious! 🌿
Oh thank you! It sure was 😊
So much YUM!!!
YES. This didn’t last long at my house 🙈
I made this tonight for my family and it was a Hit! My 1 year old ate every bite! We will be making this again. I did substitute broccoli for peas, and it went really well with the dish.
I’m glad to hear that! This is one of my favorite dinners I’ve made.