Excerpted from TikTok dietitian Steph Grasso’s upcoming cookbook, Crave, Cook, Nourish (out Feb. 24, 2026)
This is one of my absolute favorite dishes. It’s 100 percent nutritious comfort food, and I’m sure that’s a big part of why it went viral on TikTok and became a huge hit in the summer of 2021. Katie Couric also really likes this one. Swoon. The recipe is all about cozy, cheesy goodness with a powerful dose of vital veggie nutrients. It’s one of my signature dishes because it strikes that perfect balance between comfort, nutrition, balance, and fun. I think you’re going to love it.
Cheesy Kielbasa Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 14 oz kielbasa cut into ¼-inch-thick slices
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cups white or cremini mushrooms sliced (or 8-ounce package sliced mushrooms)
- 1/2 yellow squash halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 cup chicken broth (or preferred broth)
- 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1/3 cup whole or 2% milk
- 1 1/2 cups farfalle (bow tie) or another preferred pasta (about 4 ounces)
- 2 cups spinach fresh and lightly packed or 1 cup frozen
- 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese grated
- green onion finely chopped white and green parts for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large deep pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the kielbasa and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kielbasa begins browning, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and squash (the pan will be quite full) and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the kielbasa has browned, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with their juices, milk, and pasta. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is fully cooked, 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure that the pasta is submerged in the liquid throughout simmering, so that it absorbs the broth and fully cooks.
- Add the spinach and once it has wilted, after 1 to 2 minutes, add the Cheddar. Mix well for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is nice and melty and coating everything. Garnish with sliced green onions (if using) and enjoy!
- Once cooled, store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a pan over medium heat until heated through, or microwave.
Steph Grasso
Steph Grasso is a registered dietitian, content creator, and the author of Crave, Cook, Nourish. She helps people eat what they crave while nourishing their bodies with what they need—without guilt, restriction, or boring food. She began her career as a hospital dietitian during the pandemic, where she saw firsthand how deeply nutrition impacts energy, healing, and resilience. She also witnessed how confusing and overwhelming wellness advice can be. That experience led her to bring her evidence-based approach to social media, with the goal of making healthy eating simple, craveable, and genuinely enjoyable. Today, Steph creates viral nutrition content for a community of more than 2 million followers, breaking down science-backed concepts into bite-sized, fiber-maxxed, protein-packed tips. From high-flavor 20-minute meals to gut-loving snack boards and wellness myth-busting, she blends the expertise of a dietitian with the perspective of an everyday home cook. Her debut cookbook, Crave, Cook, Nourish, is a love letter to balanced eating—a practical toolkit of fiber-forward recipes, nutrition sidebars, and a fresh, empowering mindset around food that celebrates cravings, energy, and satisfaction. When she’s not in the kitchen or behind the camera, Steph can be found walking her golden retriever, Bentley, planning her wedding, or nerding out on gut health, culinary trends, and curating affiliate finds she truly uses.
