Description
A comforting Polish casserole featuring smoked kielbasa, tangy sauerkraut, tender pasta or potatoes, and gooey cheese, all brought together in a creamy sauce. This dish is a celebration of Polish culinary heritage and is perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- Kielbasa or smoked Polish sausage: 1 lb, sliced
- Pasta or potatoes: 3 cups, cooked
- Sauerkraut: 1 cup
- Cream of mushroom soup or white sauce: 1 can (10.5 oz) or 2 cups
- Dijon mustard: 2 tbsp
- Garlic, minced: 2 cloves
- Swiss or mozzarella cheese, shredded: 2–3 cups
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook pasta or potatoes and set aside.
- Brown the kielbasa slices in a skillet and set aside.
- Drain and rinse the sauerkraut to control tanginess, then set aside.
- In a baking dish, layer cooked pasta or potatoes, browned kielbasa, and sauerkraut.
- Prepare the creamy sauce:
- Option 1: Mix cream of mushroom soup with Dijon mustard and garlic.
- Option 2: For a homemade sauce, melt 2 tbsp butter in a pan, whisk in 2 tbsp flour, and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups milk, whisking continuously, until thickened. Stir in 1 cup sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the layers in the baking dish.
- Top with shredded Swiss or mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use smoked kielbasa for a deeper flavor.
- Rinsing sauerkraut helps balance its tanginess.
- For a crispy topping, add breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter before baking.
- Serve with a green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx.)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 50mg