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Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet

A comforting one-pan meal featuring browned sausage, al dente pasta, and a glossy honey-garlic sauce, ready in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sausage
  • 12 oz 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta)
  • 1 lb 1 lb (450 g) sausage, sliced (Italian sausage, smoked sausage, or your preferred type)
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing
  • 3 cloves 3 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic for flavor
  • 1/4 cup 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey For sweetness
  • 1/4 cup 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
  • 1 tbsp 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar For acidity
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat) Adjust based on preferred spiciness
  • 1 tbsp 1 tablespoon butter For richness
Garnish
  • 2 tbsp 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped For garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional) Adds extra flavor

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Brown the sliced sausage for 5-7 minutes until crispy, then transfer to a plate.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.
  3. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, cooking for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in red pepper flakes if using.
Combine Ingredients
  1. Reintroduce the browned sausage and toss to coat in the sauce. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add the cooked pasta, tossing to combine with sausage and sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  3. Stir in butter until melted and sauce is silky.
Finish and Serve
  1. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley and sprinkle with grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Serve hot with a side of green salad or garlic bread. Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth.