This hearty baked pasta combines cooked Cellentani or cavatappi noodles with sliced kielbasa and fresh chopped broccoli florets. Everything mixes directly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish along with a jar of Alfredo sauce, a packet of ranch seasoning mix, shredded mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheese.
The dish bakes covered at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes before a brief 2- to 3-minute broil to get the top bubbly and lightly browned. A light garnish of dried parsley finishes the dish before serving.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Mixes cooked pasta, sliced sausage, vegetables, and cheeses directly in a single 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pairs jarred Alfredo sauce with a packet of ranch seasoning mix for simple seasoning.
- Uses a blend of shredded mozzarella and Colby Jack cheeses mixed throughout and melted over the top.
- Finishes under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes for a bubbly, lightly browned finish.
Why This Recipe Works
Mixing the cooked pasta, sliced kielbasa, and small broccoli florets directly with Alfredo sauce and dry ranch seasoning ensures every bite is evenly coated. Baking tightly covered with aluminum foil at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes traps heat and moisture so the broccoli cooks through and the cheeses melt. Uncovering the dish for a final 2 to 3 minutes under the broiler quickly browns the melted cheese topping without drying out the pasta below.
Ingredients for Cheesy Ranch Kielbasa Pasta Bake
- 16 oz box Cellentani or cavatappi pasta, cooked and drained
- 14 oz package kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 12 oz fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
- 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- Dried parsley for garnish
How to Make It: Cheesy Ranch Kielbasa Pasta Bake
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add cooked pasta, sliced kielbasa, and chopped broccoli directly into the baking dish.
- Add the mozzarella, Colby Jack, Alfredo sauce, and the entire packet of ranch seasoning.
- Stir everything together right in the dish until evenly coated. Top with an extra sprinkle of cheese if desired.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned. Garnish with parsley and serve hot with garlic breadsticks and salad.
Helpful Tips
- Chop the fresh broccoli florets small so they cook evenly alongside the pasta and sausage during the 30-minute bake.
- Grease the 9×13-inch baking dish before adding the ingredients to prevent the pasta and melted cheese from sticking.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain steam while baking at 400°F (200°C).
- Add an extra sprinkle of cheese on top before covering if extra coverage is desired.
Serving Suggestions
Garnish the hot pasta bake with dried parsley and serve alongside garlic breadsticks and salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use smoked sausage instead of kielbasa?
Yes. The recipe specifies using a 14 oz package of either kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced into rounds.
Which pasta shapes are recommended?
A 16 oz box of Cellentani or cavatappi pasta, cooked and drained, is specified for this bake.
How long should the pasta bake in the oven?
Bake tightly covered with aluminum foil at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
Cheesy Ranch Kielbasa Pasta Bake Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add cooked pasta, sliced kielbasa, and chopped broccoli directly into the baking dish.
- Add the mozzarella, Colby Jack, Alfredo sauce, and the entire packet of ranch seasoning.
- Stir everything together right in the dish until evenly coated. Top with an extra sprinkle of cheese if desired.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned. Garnish with parsley and serve hot with garlic breadsticks and salad.
