Description
A quick and easy one-pan Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet that balances sweet and savory flavors, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces short pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 1 pound Italian sausage (or chicken/plant-based sausage)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (apple cider vinegar recommended)
- Optional: 1 cup vegetables (bell peppers, spinach, zucchini)
- Optional: 1/2 cup cream (heavy cream or Parmesan cheese)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Slice sausage into 1/2-inch pieces. Mince garlic.
- Whisk together honey, soy sauce, and vinegar in a small bowl.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Lower heat, add minced garlic to the skillet, and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce into the skillet with the sausage and garlic. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the sausage.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat.
- Serve hot, garnished with herbs if desired, with crusty bread or salad.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness.
- Don’t rush browning the sausage for better flavor.
- Use fresh garlic for the best taste.
- Whisk sauce ingredients before adding to the skillet for even flavor.
- Taste and adjust seasonings before adding pasta.
- Use high-quality sausage for a more satisfying dish.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 2 months; reheat on the stovetop with a splash of liquid.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pan Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg