Description
This Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, and a luscious honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight, it delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slight heat with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Sauce Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), casing removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti works well)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Heat the skillet: While the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the sausage.
- Cook the sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the sausage in the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Pour in the honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar (if using), red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Stir the mixture well and let it simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and become sticky.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sticky honey garlic sauce and sausage mixture.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta if desired. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute the Italian sausage with chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes depending on your preferred spice level or omit them for a milder dish.
- If balsamic vinegar is not available, you can omit it or substitute with a splash of lemon juice for some acidity.
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for better flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
