Kielbasa White Bean Skillet

This kielbasa and white bean skillet is a hearty, flavor-packed dish that’s pure comfort in a pan. The perfect easy weeknight meal, especially with a chunk of country bread to soak up every bit of that sauce.

Can’t get enough kielbasa recipes? Try my Fried cabbage and kielbasa skillet, Pierogi with kielbasa or this Hearty potato soup with kielbasa next.

Why recipes with kielbasa are so delicious

There’s something irresistible about cooking with kielbasa. This smoky, garlicky sausage brings instant depth to even the simplest ingredients, like beans, turning them into a satisfying meal. It adds richness without any extra effort, making every bite taste like you’ve been cooking all day (when really, it comes together in about 30 minutes).

Polish-style white beans

If you love Polish–inspired meals, this kielbasa with white beans in a thick tomato sauce will be right up your alley.

This recipe is also perfect for meal prep, the flavors deepen overnight, and the leftovers make a quick, satisfying lunch the next day.

Both kielbasa and beans are pantry heroes, they keep well, need little prep, and always deliver big flavor. This recipe combines the two into a cozy skillet dinner that has become a true fall favorite in my kitchen.

Watch the recipe video

Learn how to make kielbasa and white beans in tomato sauce step-by-step! Follow along with my video or join me on YouTube to cook this cozy dish together.

Pro tip

Don’t skip frying the sausage first, it’s the secret to unlocking all that rich, smoky flavor that makes the whole dish so good.

What goes into this Polish sausage skillet

This dish comes together with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients you probably already have on hand. I use onion, garlic, and tomato paste to build a rich flavor base. Bay leaf and marjoram adds that signature herbal note, but if you don’t have marjoram, no worries! Thyme or oregano work beautifully too. This recipe is very forgiving.

For the beans, I use cannellini beans, but any white beans will do. Butter beans or even kidney beans are great alternatives if that’s what’s sitting in your pantry.

And of course, the star of the show: kielbasa! In Polish it simply means sausage, and there are many variaties. Most often it refers to smoked pork sausage, cured and ready to eat. I usually buy it from a Polish grocery store, but if you don’t have one nearby, most large supermarkets carry good options. I prefer pork kielbasa, though chicken or turkey kielbasa work just as well.

Recipe notes and tips

A few easy ways to make this skillet your own:

• Add extra veggies like spinach, kale, or bell peppers.
• Drain, but don’t rinse the beans, that little starchy liquid helps create a thicker, richer tomato sauce.

Serving tips

This kielbasa and bean skillet is delicious served with garlicky bread or crusty bread to soak up the sauce. It’s also great with barley or boiled potatoes for a traditional Polish-style meal. However you serve it, make sure there’s something to scoop up that sauce.

Make ahead

This recipe is perfect for making ahead! You can prepare it up to 1 day in advance, or make a big batch for meal prep and freeze portions for later. The flavors only get better as they sit and meld together.

Storage tips

• Fridge: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium until steaming hot.
• Freezer: Freeze leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.