Name: Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet: 1 Best Meal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 ounces pasta; 1 pound smoked sausage sliced; 4 cloves garlic minced; 1/3 cup honey; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

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Finding a meal that everyone actually likes is such a headache sometimes. You want something that tastes like you spent hours on it but you really just want to sit on the couch. This recipe is my absolute savior for those wild Tuesday nights. I first threw this together when I was dying for something sweet and salty but my pantry was looking pretty empty. I used beef sausage instead of the usual stuff and it gave me this amazing savory base that just loves being covered in honey. It turns out so glossy and looks like it came from a fancy restaurant even though it was all done in one pan. You are going to be obsessed with how the honey gets all bubbly with the garlic and sticks to every single piece of pasta.

Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet – Sweet & Savory Perfection

This dish is all about that smoky beef sausage mixed with a bright and sticky sauce. It is a total one-pan wonder which means you won’t be stuck at the sink scrubbing dishes all night. The sweetness from the honey really balances out that big punch of fresh garlic. It is a huge hit with everyone from the picky kids to the adults. Plus you can get this on the table in under thirty minutes which is a massive win when life gets crazy.

Ingredients for Your Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet – Sweet & Savory Perfection

To get the best flavor you should try to grab some good quality stuff. Freshness is key here especially with the garlic and the meat. Here is what you need to grab from the store:

12 ounces of beef sausage sliced into rounds
8 ounces of pasta like penne or rotini
3 tablespoons of honey
4 cloves of garlic minced up small
1/4 cup of low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup of beef broth instead of wine to get those tasty bits off the pan
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you want a little kick
Fresh parsley to make it look pretty

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet – Sweet & Savory Perfection

The whole thing takes about 25 minutes from start to finish. You will spend maybe 10 minutes prepping and 15 minutes at the stove. Just follow these steps and your sauce will turn out perfectly sticky every time.

1. Boil the Pasta

Get a big pot of salty water boiling. Cook your pasta until it is just right. Before you drain it make sure you save about half a cup of that cloudy pasta water. That stuff is liquid gold because the starch helps the sauce really grab onto the noodles later on.

2. Brown the Beef Sausage

While the pasta is doing its thing heat up your olive oil in a big skillet. Toss in those beef sausage slices and let them sear for about 3 to 5 minutes. You want them browned and a little bit crispy on the edges because that is where all that smoky flavor lives.

3. Create the Honey Garlic Base

Turn the heat down to medium and throw in your minced garlic. Let it cook for just a minute until you can really smell it. Do not let it burn or it will taste bitter. Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pan and scrape up all those delicious brown bits from the bottom. Stir in the honey and the soy sauce.

4. Simmer and Thicken

Let that sauce simmer for 3 or 4 minutes. You will see it start to bubble up and get thick. This is the best part. The honey reduces down into this gorgeous sticky glaze that coats the beef sausage perfectly.

5. Combine and Serve

Toss your cooked pasta right into the skillet. Give it a good stir so every single noodle is swimming in that honey garlic sauce. If it looks a bit too thick just add a splash of that pasta water you saved. Sprinkle on some fresh parsley and those red pepper flakes and serve it up immediately.

Expert Tips for Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet – Sweet & Savory Perfection

One thing that can be tricky is the sauce thickness. If your stove is too hot the honey might burn so keep it at a steady medium once you add the liquids. If you want a really thick glaze just let it simmer for an extra minute before the pasta goes in. I always tell people to use fresh garlic instead of the stuff in the jar because the flavor is way better. Also make sure your beef sausage is nice and browned before you add the liquids to keep all those juices inside.

Storing Your Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet – Sweet & Savory Perfection

If you have leftovers you are going to be so happy. This stuff tastes even better the next day because the flavors have more time to hang out. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you go to reheat it just add a little splash of water or broth. It helps loosen up that sticky sauce so the pasta does not get dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken sausage instead of beef?

You totally can. Chicken sausage is a great lean option and it still soaks up all those honey garlic flavors like a charm.

Is this dish very spicy?

Not at all. The recipe is pretty mild as it is. Those red pepper flakes are totally optional. If you love heat you can always add more or even a squeeze of sriracha to the sauce.

What type of pasta works best?

I love using short shapes like penne or rotini. They have all those little spots that hold onto the sticky sauce way better than something long like spaghetti.

Nutritional Information

This recipe serves four people and these are just estimates for each serving:

Calories: 480 kcal
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fat: 22g
Sodium: 890mg
Fiber: 2g