Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet
Sweet, savory, and ready in 30 minutes - this Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet delivers comfort food perfection with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Large pot
- Tongs
- Small mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked sausage or Italian sausage sliced into coins
- 8 ounces pasta penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated, optional for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage in a single layer and cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply browned and caramelized.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour into skillet with sausage and garlic.
- Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened and coating the sausage.
- Add cooked pasta to skillet. Toss with tongs to coat evenly in honey garlic sauce. If too thick, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
- Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining - it's essential for adjusting sauce consistency
- Don't skip browning the sausage properly - it builds the flavor foundation
- Taste and adjust seasoning - soy sauce saltiness varies by brand
- Serve immediately for best texture - pasta continues absorbing sauce as it sits