This easy one-pan meal combines flavorful kielbasa sausage with tangy sauerkraut and sweet apple for a delicious and satisfying meal. Learn how to make this hearty dish with easily accessible ingredients and minimal effort and cleanup.
One Pan Easy Kielbasa and Sausage
This one-pan kielbasa and sauerkraut recipe is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. With only 30 minutes of cooking time, it’s a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
It is one of our favorite meals as the flavors complement each other well. If you like this recipe, try cabbage and sausage, skillet sausage and peppers, or haluski.
Ingredients Needed
- Vegetable oil: just a little bit
- Onion: sweet yellow or Vidalia
- Kielbasa sausage: or other smoked sausage
- Sauerkraut: I like the refrigerated bagged sauerkraut as I find it crispier and tastier.
- Brown sugar: just a little bit to add a little sweetness
- Dijon mustard: to give the dish a little zip and tang
- Apple: Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
- Red pepper flakes: are optional, but they give the dish a little zest
How To Make Kielbasa and Sausage
This is the nutshell version. Please see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sausage, cooking until the onion is soft and the sausage is browned. Add the drained sauerkraut, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple.
Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes or until the apples soften. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- This dish is traditionally made with Polska Kielbasa, a spiced, smoked pork sausage, but you can use any smoked sausage.
- I like to use bagged sauerkraut or homemade sauerkraut as I find it superior in taste and texture to jarred or canned. Drain it well in a colander in the sink.
- Season with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary, or dill.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
What To Serve With It
- Honey roasted carrots
- German potato salad
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Potato dumplings
More Recipes To Try
Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage cut into 3/4-1 inch chuncks
- 2 lb package sauerkraut in liquid well drained
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 medium apple peeled and diced see notes below
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1-2 pinches red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sausage, cooking until the onion is soft and the sausage is browned. Stir several times.
- Add the sauerkraut, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple. Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the apples soften.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add crushed red pepper, if desired.
Notes
- This dish is traditionally made with Polska Kielbasa, a spiced, smoked pork sausage, but you can use any smoked sausage.
- I like to use bagged sauerkraut or homemade sauerkraut as I find it superior in taste and texture to jarred or canned.
- Season with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary, or dill.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They can be reheated in a skillet on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Lisa
This was so delicious, and I love how easy it is to prepare. The kids loved it and it is a new family favorite.
Rosey
This was a family favorite when I was growing up. My mom made it for us and sometimes my grandmother made it for her home too!
Beth Pierce
Then you should try it, Rosey! It is delicious!
Tammy G
Oh this was so delicious! I love sauerkraut! This is perfect for all seasons…easy, tasty, and filling for my husband and son! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Tammy!
Lavanda
This was the perfect weeknight meal! The combination of kielbasa, sauerkraut, and apple was delicious and comforting. We loved every bite. Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure. Lavanda!
Rachel Mouton
I have been looking for a great sauerkraut recipe. This one looks delicious.
Beth Pierce
It really is! Enjoy, Rachel!
Catalina
I tried your Kielbasa and Sauerkraut recipe, and it turned out fantastic! It was so easy to prepare, and the flavors were spot on. This will definitely be a regular dish in our household
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Catalina! I am so glad that you liked it!
Yadira
I am a big fan of sauerkraut, so this combined with the sausage and the apple really was delicious. I love the flavours together and I will definitely be making this again!
Karen
omg I can imagine how delicious the combination is…I love Sauerkraut with almost anything…It is so so good!!! I can’t wait to make your recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Karen! Enjoy!
Sam Donnelly
Such a tasty recipe and so easy to make. I am so glad that I found this. I was looking for new and easy recipes.
Janey
I love kielbasa and it goes so well with sauerkraut! Thank you for sharing this recipe, it was a great midweek meal1
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Janey! I am glad that you liked it.
Janelle
This was so great. My kids devoured it and that’s really saying something, haha! Thanks!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Janelle!
Tisha
Its simplicity and quick preparation make it a go-to recipe for those hectic evenings when you need a tasty meal without the hassle
Beth Pierce
I agree, Tisa!
Jaishree
This Kielbasa and Sauerkraut recipe was fantastic! I loved the addition of apples for a hint of sweetness. So easy, delicious, and everyone loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jaishree! So glad that everyone liked it!
Sandra M
This was an easy meal for dinner last night! I love the red pepper flakes on mine! It was delicious!
Erin D
This recipe was simple to follow and turned out incredibly flavorful! The whole family was satisfied! This is perfect for busy families like mine! I’ll definitely add this on my repeat list!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Erin! So glad that you and your family enjoyed the Kielbasa and sauerkraut!
Krystle
This is one of our favorite family meals. I love the hint of sweetness from the apple.
Beth Pierce
Thank Krystle! We do too!