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    Home » Recipes » Pork

    Published: Sep 15, 2021 by Rachel

    Kielbasa Cheesesteak Sandwiches

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
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    These kielbasa sandwiches are served up topped with sweet caramelized onions, bell peppers and lots of melty cheese. Similar to cheesesteaks, they are a great tailgating food tradition. Simple to clean up and packed with flavor, they may be your next lucky charm.

    Kielbasa sandwiches with peppers and onions on fresh hoagie rolls with  melted provolone on wood cutting board.
    Contents show
    1 Ingredients and Notes
    2 How do I caramelize onions?
    3 Kielbasa Cheesesteak Recipe Tips
    4 Frequently asked questions
    5 Kielbasa Sandwiches

    I’ve got something special for you today because believe it or not Fall is here, which means football time and hearty tailgating foods like Pulled Chicken Nachos, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms my favorite Cajun Seafood Boil, and these Kielbasa Cheesesteak Sandwiches!

    Today’s polish sausage sandwich recipe comes from one of our favorite college traditions: tailgating. Even though the touchdown celebrations will be inside, the vibe is definitely carried over to the tailgate fete. Food is by far the most important factor to a tailgating party and it is known to cause some friendly competition.

    There are a few rules to tailgating food. First, it must be easy to set up and easy to clean up. Second, it must smell and taste delicious. That is, unless you want to be target of all your rowdy friends trash talking.

    These Kielbasa Sandwiches fit the bill perfectly with their sweet, caramelized onions, peppers and mushrooms, and topped with thick, melty cheese! They can be made on an open grill or at home on the stove.

    Ingredients and Notes

    Below is an overview of what you will need and notes on any substitutions below. Most of the ingredient choices are completely up to your tastes! For example, if you don’t like mushrooms, skip em.

    Ingredients for polish sausage sandwiches including kielbasa, hoagie rolls, peppers, onions, slices provolone, sauerkraut, and mustard.

    Cheese: Provolone, Swiss, Muenster, or White American cheese are great. Use what you most like. You can also make an amazing cheese sauce by microwaving ½ lb of White American, ¼ cup milk, and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir and spoon over hoagies before it cools.

    Buns: Use a long, crusty Italian roll or hoagie style bun in either white or wheat.

    Kielbasa: This is sometimes called polish sausage and has a garlicy, marjoram flavor that suits the cheesesteak perfectly. However, you can substitute Smoked Sausage or Bratwurst if needed.

    Onions: Cheap ol’ yellow onions are the right choice for making caramelized onions. You can also use White or Vidalia onions if you wish.

    Peppers: Green bell peppers provide the right mildly bitter flavor, but you can use any peppers, including hot peppers. Hot pepper relish is a good way to increase the heat too.

    Mushrooms: Button mushrooms or Baby Bella Mushrooms are perfect because of their size and how they cook evenly.

    Sandwich toppings: All are optional, but I have seen mustard, mayo, ketchup, sauerkraut, horseradish, banana peppers, chow-chow relish, or marinara as examples.

    How do I caramelize onions?

    Caramelizing onions is a cooking method that involves cooking yellow onions over medium or medium low heat for at least 25 minutes until they are brown and somewhat mushy. This method brings out the sweetness of the onions in a way that just sautéing them does not.

    Pictured below are onions that are more on the translucent side. Although the recipe includes a longer time to caramelize the onions, how long you cook them is up to you. You can always remove the sausage to cook the onions longer.

    Cast iron skillet with whole kielbasa sausage and slice onions and green peppers.

    Kielbasa Cheesesteak Recipe Tips

    Make-Ahead: You can caramelize the vegetables and kielbasa a few hours ahead and keep them warm in a crockpot. It’s also great if you are cooking large batches.

    How to Store Leftovers: Keep the cooked meat and veggies separate from the buns and cheese and cover in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of kielbasa and onions to a small frying pan over low heat and cook until hot. You can also heat in a microwave-safe bowl. Top with the desired cheese and heat until melted.

    How to Freeze: Keep the cooked meat and onions separate from the buns and sauce and cover in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw for 1 day in the refrigerator before reheating.

    Tools Needed: You can use a flat top griddle or a regular large frying pan. You will also need a metal spatula.

    Kielbasa sandwiches with peppers, onions, and melted provolone on wooden surface.

    Looking for More Delicous Recipes? Here are some of our most popular dishes!

    • Teriyaki Chicken Kababs
    • Supreme Chicken Nachos
    • Chicken Marsala Pasta Bake
    • Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I make these Kielbasa sandwiches on the grill?

    Absolutely! I love the charred flavor you can only get from making meat on a grill. Yum! Cook the Kielbasa sausages on an open flame and wrap the onions and peppers in aluminum foil packs to cook up separately. Or you can cook them on cast iron on the grill. You can even throw your hoagie rolls on there for a second to warm them up!

    What tools do I need to make Kielbasa sandwiches?

    A wide, strong skillet the onions and peppers. This one is great for grilling too, but it does not have to be cast iron to cook on the stove.
    My favorite Tongs – because no one wants a pepper party foul.

    What toppings should I serve with Kielbasa cheesesteak sandwiches?

    You might also want to add a few extra toppings to personalize your sandwiches or offer to guests if you’re making these for a gathering. Options include grain or yellow mustard, sauerkraut, banana peppers or pepper relish, ketchup, horseradish, and marinara.

    Cookbook cover of Chicken and Rice casserole. The cookbook is titled Weeknight Supper Solutions

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    PS. If you make this recipe, leave a COMMENT AND A STAR RATING in the comments section at the bottom and be sure to take a photo and tag it #cravingcreative on Instagram! I appreciate you for taking the time to read about me and my family recipes. 

    Kielbasa sandwiches with hoagie buns onions and peppers on a butcher block.

    Kielbasa Sandwiches

    These kielbasa sandwiches are served up topped with sweet caramelized onions, bell peppers and lots of melty cheese. Simple to clean up and packed with flavor, they may be you next lucky charm.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 3 sandwhiches
    Calories: 645kcal
    Author: Rachel

    Ingredients

    • 1 link Kielbasa
    • 1 tablespoon Oil for sautéing Vegetable oil, Canola, or Olive Oil
    • 1 Medium Yellow Onion sliced ¼-1/2 inch thick
    • 1 Green Pepper sliced and seeds removed
    • 6 oz Sliced Button or Baby Bella Mushrooms Optional
    • 6 slices provolone cheese
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 3 hoagie buns

    Topping Options

    • Mustard, Mayo, or Ketchup
    • Banana Peppers
    • Pepper Relish
    • Sauerkraut
    • Horseradish Mayo

    Instructions

    • Heat large, wide bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add oil and onions Cook for about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Onions should be very translucent. You may need to turn up the heat if the stovetop burner is weaker.
    • In the same skillet, add peppers and mushrooms. Cook about 5 minutes and then add the Kielbasa link. Toss occasionally until onions are caramelized and sausage is heated through, about 10 more minutes. If you would like more caramelization on the onions, remove the sausage link and cook the onions until satisfied.
    • Cut kielbasa to appropriate length, and slice in half lengthwise, Add to sandwich. Top with onions, peppers, and mushrooms and provolone cheese slices.
    • Serve with mustard and other condiments.

    Notes

    Make-Ahead: You can caramelize the vegetables and kielbasa a few hours ahead and keep them warm in a crockpot. It’s also great if you are cooking large batches.
    How to Store Leftovers: Keep the cooked meat and veggies separate from the buns and cheese and cover in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of kielbasa and onions to a small frying pan over low heat and cook until hot. You can also heat in a microwave-safe bowl. Top with the desired cheese and heat until melted.
    How to Freeze: Keep the cooked meat and onions separate from the buns and sauce and cover in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw for 1 day in the refrigerator before reheating.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1hoagie | Calories: 645kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Fat: 25.9g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 2116mg | Potassium: 165mg | Sugar: 8.3g | Iron: 2.5mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @CravingCreative or tag #CravingSomeCreativity!
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Heart says

      October 15, 2015 at 10:49 pm

      5 stars
      I so LOVE it, Rachel! It’s the kind of food that I can eat everyday. I love it’s mexican style and flavor.Yummy!

      Reply
    2. Joybee says

      October 15, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      Go Vol! I just pulled some kielbasa out of the freezer…had other plans for it, but this sounds so much better. I have peppers and onions b/c I was thinking fajitas but I’m sold on this…even have some provolone from sandwiches earlier.

      Reply
    3. Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says

      October 02, 2015 at 10:56 pm

      5 stars
      This is my kind of tailgating food – I love how fresh and flavorful it looks! I’m a sucker for Phillies and this looks like a much easier to make version of that. I can’t wait to try these out! #client

      Reply

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    Headshot of Rachel Beach, the author of Craving Some Creativity.

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    Creativity makes me energized and fearless. My husband and I have been renovating homes for over a decade and love to share our passion for all things home. Follow along for remodeling tutorials, recipes, and entertaining ideas sure to inspire!

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