I posted on the nest this week for some menu ideas, I really didn’t want to have to go grocery shopping and wanted to use up the meat and things I had around the house. I was pointed in the direction of this chowder and was happy to try something new, it was a super cool day here in MN so it was perfect.

Adam and I LOVED this recipe, we both had seconds last night and I took the leftovers to work today, I cannot wait to make it again. To use up the ingredients I had I doubled the half and half and chicken broth I used. I would do the same thing again it gave you a good amount of sauce. If you are a soup and kielbasa lover you HAVE to try this!

Corn and Kielbasa Chowder (Inspired From: Living Insanity’s Loving Food Recipe From: Rachel Ray)

• 8 oz. kielbasa cut lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 2 onions finely chopped (I used 1/2 an onion and it was perfect)
• 1 T. butter
• One 14.5 oz can chicken broth
• 1 lg baking potato peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 c. half and half
• 1 1lb. bag corn thawed
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh dill for garnish

Heat a deep skillet or a wide 4- to 6-quart pot over medium-high heat. Add the kielbasa and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Add the onions and butter to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 6 minutes. Add the broth and potato and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid and simmer until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the half-and-half and corn and cook, stirring, until heated through.

Using a blender or food processor, puree 1 cup chowder until smooth. Stir the puree back into the chowder along with the browned kielbasa and season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the dill.

Adam and I spent most of the day with my mom, helping her do some things outside. We got home around 4:30 and before we knew it, it was time for dinner. We didn’t really have anything set out so I started looking around. I saw kielbasa, but we didn’t have any kraft macaroni. So I created my own macaroni and cheese with kielbasa.

This was awesome! And might be my new favorite way of preparing kielbasa.

 Macaroni and Cheese with Kielbasa (From: Myself)

•  1/2 ring kielbasa cut into slices and then cut into quarters
• 2 c. cheddar jack cheese
• 1 1/2 c. half and half
• al’ dente pasta (anything will work)
• seasoning salt
• onion powder
• 2 T. butter
• 2 T. flour

Fry kielbasa in a pan. Take out of pan and set aside.

Melt butter in pan with kielbasa juices, add flour and mix until smooth and thick.

Mix in half and half and mix until no lump exist.

Add 1 3/4 c. cheese and simmer until melted. You can add more half and half or milk if it’s too thick for you.

Mix in noodles, kielbasa, and rest of cheese. Serve hot