Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet Recipe
This Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet is a flavorful one-pan dish combining tender pasta, crispy sausage, and a luscious honey garlic sauce with a hint of spice. Easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting dinner, it requires minimal cleanup while delivering maximum taste.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Pasta
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta)
Sausage and Sauce
- 1 lb (450 g) sausage, sliced (Italian sausage, smoked sausage, or your preferred type)
- 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
Finishing Touches
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking your pasta according to the package instructions. Be sure to salt the water generously to season the pasta. Once the pasta is al dente (firm to the bite), drain it and set it aside. Don’t forget to reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, which may come in handy later to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Sauté the Sausage: In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced sausage. Brown the sausage on both sides, which should take about 5-7 minutes. The goal here is to achieve a nice, crispy outer layer, enhancing the overall texture of the dish. Once browned, transfer the sausage to a plate and set it aside.
- Make the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly. Then, pour in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir the mixture well, allowing the ingredients to combine into a smooth sauce. Next, add the chicken broth and bring the sauce to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 2-3 minutes, giving the flavors time to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken. If you’re a fan of a little spice, toss in the red pepper flakes at this stage for a gentle kick.
- Reintroduce the Sausage and Pasta: Once the sauce has thickened, add the browned sausage back into the skillet. Stir to coat the sausage pieces thoroughly in the sticky honey garlic sauce. Let the sausage simmer in the sauce for about 3-4 minutes, ensuring it absorbs all the delicious flavors. Now, it’s time to bring everything together. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it with the sausage and sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, this is where you can add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Stir in the butter to give the sauce an extra layer of richness and silkiness.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking. Once you’re happy with the flavor, turn off the heat and garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. If you love cheese, a generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan on top adds a wonderful savory note.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted if you prefer no heat.
- You can substitute sausage types based on preference.
- Grated Parmesan cheese adds extra savory flavor but is optional.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Keywords: honey garlic sausage pasta, one-pan pasta skillet, sausage pasta recipe, easy dinner skillet, honey garlic sauce pasta