The Perfect Cheese Pairing For Kielbasa: A Tasty Guide

Kielbasa is a type of Polish sausage, usually made from pork, with a distinctive garlic flavour and a smoky aroma. It is traditionally served with sides like sauerkraut, bread, and mustard. But what kind of cheese goes well with kielbasa?

Monterey Jack is a popular choice for its sharpness that pairs well with the smoky sausage. Provolone, Swiss, Muenster, or White American cheese are also great options for their melting abilities and complementary flavours. For a unique twist, you could try pairing kielbasa with a smoked cheese or even halloumi.

Monterey Jack cheese

When it comes to pairing Kielbasa with cheese, a simple yet tasty option is to go for a grilled cheese sandwich with Kielbasa, onions, and peppers. The sharpness of the Monterey Jack cheese complements the smoky sausage, sweet peppers, and spicy red onions. The cheese melts beautifully, creating a creamy texture and enhancing the flavours of the other ingredients.

For a more substantial meal, you could try a Kielbasa cheesesteak sandwich. This sandwich features Kielbasa, caramelised onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms, topped with melted cheese. The sweetness of the onions and bell peppers is balanced by the savoury flavours of the sausage and cheese. The cheese sauce for this sandwich can be made with White American cheese, milk, and butter, providing a rich and creamy texture.

Swiss cheese

A tasty, hearty meal that is easy to make is a Kielbasa and Pepper Casserole. This dish combines the flavours of kielbasa, a mushroom-cheese sauce, and Swiss cheese. Simply cook the pasta, assemble the casserole, and bake until golden brown and bubbly. The Swiss cheese will melt into the sauce, adding a delicious nutty flavour and extra creaminess to the dish.

For a quick and easy breakfast or brunch option, try a Kielbasa Swiss Omelet. This omelet is filled with savoury kielbasa slices and melted Swiss cheese. It is a simple, yet crowd-pleasing meal that is sure to satisfy any appetite. To make this omelet, start by searing the kielbasa slices in a skillet. Next, whisk together eggs, milk, and salt, and cook the egg mixture in a skillet. Finally, sprinkle on the Swiss cheese and top with the kielbasa, folding the omelet in half to close. This omelet is best served fresh but can also be refrigerated or frozen for future meals.

If you're looking for a fun and tasty tailgating option, why not try Kielbasa Cheesesteak Sandwiches? These sandwiches are served on crusty Italian rolls and topped with sweet caramelized onions, bell peppers, and melted Swiss cheese. They are simple to make and can be cooked on an open grill or stove. To make these sandwiches, cook the vegetables and kielbasa, and then assemble the sandwiches, topping them with Swiss cheese slices. These sandwiches are sure to be a hit at your next gathering!

Provolone, Swiss, Muenster, or White American cheese

Provolone, Swiss, Muenster, and White American cheese are all great choices to pair with kielbasa. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate these cheeses into your kielbasa dish:

Provolone

Kielbasa Sauerkraut Sliders are a perfect example of a dish that combines kielbasa and provolone cheese. This dish is not only delicious but also inexpensive and easy to make. Simply fry the kielbasa slices, add some sauerkraut and seasonings, and then melt the provolone cheese over the sausage in the skillet. You can then either assemble the sliders or bake them in the oven for a crispier texture.

Swiss

Although there are no specific recipes found that use Swiss cheese with kielbasa, you can draw inspiration from the classic combination of sausage and greens. Consider creating a dish that incorporates Swiss chard, kielbasa, and other complementary ingredients like pasta, olive oil, garlic, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Muenster

Muenster cheese is a great choice for a hearty Muenster Kielbasa Casserole. This casserole features a combination of kielbasa, noodles, kale leaves, chicken broth, cider vinegar, sour cream, and of course, Muenster cheese. It is a simple dish to prepare and bake in the oven, resulting in a comforting and flavourful meal.

White American Cheese

White American cheese can be used to make a delicious cheese sauce to accompany your kielbasa dish. To make the sauce, simply microwave White American cheese with milk and butter until melted. This sauce can then be spooned over hoagies or used as a topping for other kielbasa creations.

Mac and cheese

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp granulated garlic
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded
• 16 oz kielbasa, sliced into coins

Optional Ingredients

• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Breadcrumbs
• Onion
• Flour
• Milk
• Low-fat cheddar
• Gruyere
• Emmentaler
• Mustard powder
• Whole milk

Method

• Cook the pasta in salted water according to the instructions on the package. Drain and set aside.
• Lightly brown the kielbasa slices in a skillet with hot oil. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Using the same pot the pasta was cooked in, heat heavy cream or butter over medium heat. Whisk in spices and continue stirring until the liquid just begins to steam.
• Stir in shredded cheeses and whisk until melted.
• Remove from heat or turn to low and stir in cooked pasta and kielbasa. Serve warm.

Tips

• For a super creamy version, use Velveeta cheese.
• For a hands-off recipe, substitute kielbasa coins for ham in a no-boil mac and cheese.
• For a different flavour, add garlic powder, hot sauce or paprika.
• Top with toasted breadcrumbs.
• Grate your own cheese for a very smooth sauce.

Mustard and Horseradish Sauce

When it comes to mustard and horseradish sauce, there are a few ways to go about it. You can either make a sauce from scratch or buy a pre-made one. Here are some options and recipes you can try:

Barefoot Contessa's Mustard Horseradish Sauce:

This sauce was featured on the Food Network by Ina Garten, also known as the Barefoot Contessa. It's a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip, spread, or even as a base for other dips. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 cups mayonnaise (preferably good quality)
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 1⁄3 cup sour cream
• 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

• Whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.
• Serve with kielbasa or use as a base for other dips.

Spicy Horseradish Mustard:

This recipe takes a slightly different approach by adding caraway seeds and using spicy brown mustard. It's a great appetizer when served with crackers, kielbasa, and a bit of pickle relish. Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 8 ounces kielbasa, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 24 crackers (such as Keebler Town House Flipsides Original)
• 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish

Directions:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and toast the caraway seeds for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
• In a small bowl, combine the toasted caraway seeds, mustard, mayonnaise, and horseradish. Set this mustard mixture aside.
• In the same skillet, cook the kielbasa slices in hot oil for about 8 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels and cut each slice in half.
• Spread the mustard mixture on the crackers (on the pretzel side of the Town House Flipsides).
• Top each cracker with a piece of kielbasa and a bit of pickle relish. Serve warm.

Kielbasa with Mustard Dip:

This recipe, also by Ina Garten, is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy kielbasa with a mustard-horseradish dip. Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 pounds smoked kielbasa (Polish sausage)
• 1/2 cup good mayonnaise (such as Hellmann’s)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

• Slice the kielbasa diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick pieces.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the kielbasa and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely browned on both sides.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Serve the kielbasa hot with small wooden skewers and a dish of the mustard sauce on the side for dipping.

Kielbasa Grilled Cheese:

While this recipe doesn't include a mustard and horseradish sauce, it does incorporate stone ground mustard, which can be added to enhance the flavour. This sandwich combines kielbasa, onions, peppers, and Monterey Jack cheese for a delicious and satisfying meal. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 slices rustic whole wheat bread
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 6 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 thin slices red onion, cut in half
• 1 small orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 7 ounces turkey kielbasa

Directions:

• Slice the kielbasa link in half lengthwise, then slice into 4 pieces per half. You can optionally brown the sausage in a pan before adding it to the sandwiches.
• Spread 1 1/2 teaspoons of butter on each slice of bread and place the slices butter-sides together.
• Slice the cheese into 8 slices. Arrange two slices of cheese on one slice of bread.
• Top with half an onion slice, a few strips of bell pepper, four slices of kielbasa, the remaining onion, and a few more strips of bell pepper.
• Heat a medium skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat.
• Carefully place the sandwich in the skillet, butter-side down. Place the second slice of bread on top, butter-side up.
• Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and the cheese is melted. If needed, add a dash of water and cover with a lid to ensure even melting.
• Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make a second sandwich.
• Allow the sandwiches to cool for 2-3 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions