Description
This Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet is a delicious and comforting one-pan meal featuring perfectly cooked pasta tossed with crispy sausage and a sweet, tangy, and savory honey garlic sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy yet flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you crave a satisfying pasta dinner with a hint of heat and freshness from parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta)
Sausage
- 1 lb (450 g) sausage, sliced (Italian sausage, smoked sausage, or your preferred type)
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set pasta aside.
- Sauté the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and crispy on both sides. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Add honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar, stirring to combine. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Allow the sauce to cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add red pepper flakes if using for a gentle heat.
- Reintroduce the Sausage and Pasta: Return the browned sausage to the skillet and coat well with the sauce. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes so the sausage absorbs the flavors. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine everything. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Stir in the butter for richness and silky texture.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Turn off heat. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels.
- Add red pepper flakes according to your heat preference or omit for mild flavor.
- The recipe is flexible with sausage types: Italian, smoked, or your favorite variety works well.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the butter and Parmesan cheese garnish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: honey garlic sausage pasta, one-pan pasta recipe, easy sausage skillet, quick dinner, sticky sauce pasta, comfort food pasta
