Description
This Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet is a quick and delicious 30-minute dinner featuring juicy, caramelized sausage, tender pasta, and a rich honey garlic sauce. Made with simple ingredients, this sweet and savory skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
8 oz penne, rotini, or spaghetti pasta
1 lb fully cooked smoked sausage, Italian-style sausage, or chicken sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup honey
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced, fully cooked sausage and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized.
3. Add the Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Pour the mixture into the skillet with the sausage.
5. Simmer the Sauce: Cook for 2–3 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the sausage.
6. Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss gently until evenly coated with the sticky honey garlic sauce. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if necessary.
7. Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley, sesame seeds, and chopped green onions if desired.
8. Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your delicious Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet!
Notes
Best Sausage: Fully cooked smoked sausage or chicken sausage works best for quick preparation. If using raw Italian sausage, cook thoroughly before adding the sauce.
Pasta Options: Penne, rotini, spaghetti, or rigatoni all work beautifully.
Adjust Sweetness: Reduce honey to 2–3 tablespoons if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
Make It Spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes or a little sriracha.
Add Vegetables: Broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini make excellent additions.
Sauce Consistency: Add 1–2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water until heated through to 165°F.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and certified gluten-free tamari.
Cooking Tip: Avoid overheating the honey garlic sauce because the honey can burn quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 1350 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg