Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta (Printable)
Savory-sweet skillet with smoked sausage, pasta, and glossy honey garlic glaze. Ready in 35 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz smoked sausage (kielbasa or andouille), sliced
→ Pasta
02 - 10 oz penne or rigatoni
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
→ Sauce
07 - 3 tablespoons honey
08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 2/3 cup chicken broth
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Oil
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne or rigatoni until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes until well-browned on all sides. Transfer sausage to a plate and reserve.
03 - In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and diced bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and beginning to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Return the browned sausage to the skillet. Add the honey, soy sauce, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and develops a glossy consistency.
05 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat every piece with the sticky honey garlic sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the fresh parsley and serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The way the sauce clings to every pasta curve, turning ordinary ingredients into something that feels like a restaurant treat
- That perfect moment when savory sausage meets sweet honey and the whole kitchen smells like Friday night
02 -
- The sauce thickens quickly once it hits the right temperature, so keep an eye on it or you will end up with candy instead of glaze
- Reserve a splash of pasta water before draining, it can save a sauce that thickens too much
03 -
- Pat the sausage slices dry before searing for better browning
- Let the skillet get properly hot before adding the first ingredient