Name: Polish Sausage Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb smoked kielbasa, sliced; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 1 medium onion, thinly sliced; 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional); 1 can (14 oz) petite diced tomatoes (with juice); ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth; 1½ tsp Italian seasoning; Salt & pepper, to taste

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Polish Sausage Skillet is one of those dinners that checks every box: quick, hearty, full of flavor, and made in just one pan. If you’ve got a pack of smoked kielbasa hanging around, some bell peppers, and a can of diced tomatoes, you’re already halfway to a weeknight win.

This recipe is all about keeping it simple without sacrificing flavor. We’re talking browned slices of Polish sausage nestled with tender sautéed onions, mushrooms (if you’re feeling fancy), and colorful bell peppers—all simmered together in a tomatoey broth that brings everything to life.

And let’s be honest—whether you’re a tired parent staring into the fridge at 6:30 p.m., a student with exactly one skillet and three spices, or a seasoned home cook just looking for something tasty and fuss-free, this dish delivers. Plus, you can mix and match your veggies, spice it up or down, and serve it over literally anything—rice, noodles, zoodles, toast, even straight from the pan (no judgment).

So if you’re in the mood for a fast and flavorful dinner that brings comfort without the chaos, this Polish Sausage Skillet is about to become your new go-to.

Why You’ll Love This Sausage Skillet

Let’s talk about why this skillet hits different—for real:

Beginner-friendly: No fancy techniques. Sauté, simmer, done.
Budget-conscious: Kielbasa is affordable and goes a long way.
Customizable: Swap in turkey kielbasa for a low‑carb sausage skillet, change up the veggies, or add spice when the mood strikes.
Great leftovers: Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat and you’re good to go.
One-pan joy: Little cleanup, big flavor payoff.

Honestly, it doesn’t get much better for home cooks needing fast, convenient meals that still feel like comfort food.

Serving Suggestions

This skillet plays nice with tons of sides. Here are ideas to level it up:

Carby Comforts

Rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)—perfect for soaking up the sauce.
Buttered noodles: rich, creamy, and kid-friendly.
Mashed potatoes: dreamy combo with the tomato-filled skillet juices.
Garlic toast or crusty bread—great for dipping.

Low-Carb / Lighter Swaps

Zoodles (zucchini noodles) or cauliflower rice—ideal for diet-conscious diners.
Add a simple side salad for freshness.

Want even more skillet inspo? Try the Greek Chicken and Rice Skillet for Mediterranean flavors or push cuisine boundaries with Chili Garlic Udon Noodles when you crave noodles.

Ingredients Needed

Grab these basics—you might already have most in your pantry:

1 lb smoked kielbasa (aka Polish sausage), sliced
2 Tbsp olive oil for cooking
1 each red, yellow, and green bell pepper, sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional, but adds umami)
1 can (14 oz) petite diced tomatoes
½ cup chicken broth (or veggie broth)
1½ tsp Italian seasoning blend
Salt & pepper, to taste

Pro tips:

Opt for smoked kielbasa for that classic smoky-salty kick.
Mushrooms are optional—but if you’re craving savory richness, go for it.
Use Italian seasoning for balanced herbs, or spice it up with a fajita or Rotel twist.

How to Make Polish Sausage Skillet

Here’s the easy, step-by-step (with personality sprinkled in):

1. Prep

Slice the sausage into bite-size coins. Wash and slice bell peppers and onion; have mushrooms and tomatoes ready. Set aside.

2. Brown the sausage (5 minutes)

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add kielbasa in a single layer. Cook until golden edges appear, about 3 minutes per side. Scoop out and set aside—leave any tasty bits in the pan.

3. Sauté the veggies (5–7 minutes)

In the same skillet, add sliced onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Stir to coat in that leftover flavor. Cook until softened and starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

4. Build the sauce

Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice) and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning. Scrape the bottom of the pan to lift all that browned goodness.

5. Simmer (5 minutes)

Let everything simmer together until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors marry, about 5 more minutes.

6. Bring it together

Return the kielbasa to the skillet. Stir well, let it warm through for a couple minutes.

7. Taste & finish

Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning. Want heat? A sprinkle of crushed red pepper does wonders.

8. Serve hot

Spoon it over rice, toss with noodles, or enjoy solo for a low-carb twist.

Cooking tips:

Don’t rush the browning—you want flavor in those crispy edges.
Let veggies soften fully for a sweeter, more mellow result.
Feel free to sneak in extras: garlic, bay leaf, fresh herbs—whatever suits your mood.

Eventually, this dinner becomes dinner magic—one pan, under 30 minutes, and enough leftover sauce to dunk your bread.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Want to change things up? Try these fun tweaks:

Easy swaps

Turkey kielbasa for lighter, low-carb sausage skillet vibes.
Use Cauliflower rice or zoodles instead of carbs.
Add a splash of cream or cream cheese for a creamy sauce twist—check out the Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Recipe for inspo.

Flavor boosts

Switch tomato sauce to diced Rotel with chiles for Spanish-style zest.
Season with fajita spices or taco seasoning for Tex‑Mex flair.
Add mushrooms for an extra meaty bite.

One-pot meal-prep idea

Toss cooked rice or noodles right into the skillet. Stir, warm, and serve—it’s a hearty sausage skillet with rice/noodles ready to go.

Beginner-friendly tip

This is great for rookies: brown sausage, sauté veggies, simmer sauce—no fuss, no stress. Amazing if you’re new to cooking or just want a confidence booster.

Link back to a sausage breakfast alternative: the Easy sausage and hashbrown breakfast casserole, especially if you want sausage any time of day.

Meal Prep & Storage Instructions

Want this skillet to work harder? Here’s how:

Storing

Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.

Freezer Friendly

Veggies lose texture when frozen, so isn’t ideal. Instead, cook fresh each time, or freeze just the sausage-broth mixture and add fresh veggies when reheating.

Meal-Prep Tip

Cook sausage and veggies ahead, store separately from your carbs. When you’re ready, heat it up and portion into bowls with rice or zoodles. Boom—week of easy dinners.

This dish also doubles as a filling for hoagies, burritos, or wraps—just go to town.

Two views of a kielbasa skillet with mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers in a tomato broth; featured on virilerecipes.com.

Vertical image of a kielbasa skillet with vibrant vegetables and juicy sausage in a tomato-based sauce, labeled “Kielbasa Skillet.”

If you loved this skillet, you’ll want these dishes next:

Crock Pot Birria Tacos: Bold, juicy, and seriously meaty.
Canned Corned Beef Recipe: Affordable and flavorful—great for budget-conscious cooks.
Black Pepper Chicken Recipe: Toothsome, peppery, and totally craveable.

Full Printable Recipe

Final Thoughts

The Polish Sausage Skillet is proof that comfort food can be quick, easy, and nutritious. It’s got smoky sausage, colorful veggies, and a tomato-broth sauce—all in one pan, every pan. Perfect for beginners, busy weeknights, budget-conscious cooks, or anyone craving easy joy at the dinner table.

Go on—give it a try and let me know how it turns out. And hey, tag #virilerecipes so I can see your creations!

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Polish Sausage Skillet

Why You’ll Love This Sausage Skillet