If you’re in the mood for a quick weeknight dinner that delivers BIG flavor with minimal effort, this Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet will be your new go-to. It’s a one-pan wonder that combines the rich savoriness of browned sausage with a sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce, all tossed with tender pasta. This recipe is bold, comforting, and surprisingly simple—perfect for busy nights when you still want something homemade and hearty.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne or rigatoni works best)
- 1 lb (450g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 1 tsp chili flakes (optional for heat)
- 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved)
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the sausage
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned and slightly crisp, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove excess grease if needed.
Step 3: Make the sticky sauce
Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Lower the heat and stir in honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and chili flakes. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until it begins to thicken.
Step 4: Combine with pasta
Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the sticky honey garlic sauce.
Step 5: Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions. Serve hot and watch it disappear!