The sauce is sweet, sticky, and garlicky, coating every piece of sausage and pasta with rich flavor. It smells so good as it simmers, filling the kitchen with comfort.
I made this Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet on a busy night when I needed dinner fast. It came together in one pan, and everyone at the table kept asking for seconds.
If you want a quick meal that feels cozy and full of flavor, this recipe is it. Let’s toss the pasta and sausage in that glossy honey garlic sauce and make dinner extra special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet for easy cleanup.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
- Sweet and Savory: The honey garlic sauce creates the perfect flavor balance.
- Family Friendly: Kids and adults love this comforting pasta dish.
- Budget Friendly: Uses affordable ingredients you likely have on hand.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Prep Time & Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: This recipe serves 4-6 people as a main dish. Need to feed more? Double the recipe and use a larger skillet.
Difficulty: Easy enough for beginner cooks but tasty enough to impress guests.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Medium pot for cooking pasta
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Colander for draining pasta
Ingredients for Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta
Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavorful dish (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):
- Smoked Sausage: Adds smoky, savory flavor as the protein base
- Pasta: Any short pasta like penne or rigatoni works well
- Olive Oil: For cooking the sausage and building the sauce
- Chicken Broth: Creates the sauce base and adds depth
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce rich and creamy
- Honey: Provides natural sweetness to balance the savory elements
- Soy Sauce: Adds umami and depth to the sauce
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tang to brighten the sauce
- Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat to taste
- Cornstarch and Water: Creates a slurry to thicken the sauce
- Parmesan Cheese: For serving and extra flavor
- Fresh Herbs: Parsley and basil for freshness and color
Variations for Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta
- Vegetable Add-ins: Include bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrition
- Spice Level: Add more red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage for heat
- Cheese Options: Try mozzarella or cheddar instead of Parmesan
- Protein Swap: Use chicken pieces or shrimp instead of sausage
- Herb Changes: Try fresh thyme or oregano in place of basil
How to Make Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until just tender. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Sausage
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Make the Sauce Base
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Build the Sauce
Stir in honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add Cream and Thicken
Pour in heavy cream and bring back to a gentle simmer. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then stir into the sauce. Cook until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Combine and Finish
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce. Remove from heat and stir in fresh herbs and red pepper flakes if using.
Serving and Decoration
Serve this pasta hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional fresh herbs. The glossy sauce should coat each piece of pasta and sausage beautifully.
How to Serve Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta
This hearty pasta works great as:
- Main Dish: Serve with garlic bread and a simple green salad
- Family Dinner: Perfect for busy weeknight meals
- Meal Prep: Divides well into containers for lunch the next day
- Potluck Dish: Easy to transport and always popular
Storing Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta
- Leftovers: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce
- Freezing: Not recommended as the cream sauce may separate when thawed
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Don’t overcook the pasta – it will finish cooking in the sauce
- Taste and adjust the honey and vinegar balance to your liking
- Make sure to scrape up the browned bits when adding broth for extra flavor
- Let the sauce thicken properly before adding the pasta
- Fresh herbs make a big difference in the final flavor
Nutrition
Per Serving
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 485 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Carbs | 52g |
| Fat | 22g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Sodium | 890mg |
Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Sausage: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage slices and cook until browned, 5-6 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Build Sauce: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Add honey, soy sauce, and vinegar. Simmer 2-3 minutes.
- Thicken: Add cream and bring to simmer. Mix cornstarch with water, stir into sauce. Cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes.
- Combine: Add pasta to skillet and toss to coat. Remove from heat and stir in herbs and red pepper flakes.
- Serve: Top with Parmesan cheese and enjoy hot.
Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta FAQs
Yes, any short pasta shape works well. Try rotini, shells, or bow ties.
You can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce won’t be as rich.
This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers keep well for 2-3 days.
The sauce should coat the back of a spoon and cling to the pasta.
Conclusion
This Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With its perfect balance of sweet honey, savory garlic, and smoky sausage, this one-pan meal delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort. The creamy sauce brings everything together for a satisfying dinner that will become a regular in your meal rotation.
