Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta (Printable)

Juicy sausage and tender pasta coated in a glossy honey garlic glaze for a comforting weeknight meal.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne or rigatoni and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage in a single layer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until evenly browned. Transfer sausage to a plate and reserve.
03 - In the same skillet, add chopped onion and diced red bell pepper. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
04 - Return browned sausage to the skillet. Pour in honey, soy sauce, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and chicken broth. Stir constantly to dissolve tomato paste and combine flavors. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to a glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
05 - Add drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss vigorously with tongs or a wooden spoon until every piece of pasta and sausage is evenly coated in the sticky honey garlic glaze. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fold in fresh parsley, transfer to serving bowls, and garnish with additional parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The glossy honey garlic sauce creates that perfect sticky coating that makes restaurant pasta seem attainable at home
  • Everything cooks in one skillet besides the pasta, meaning fewer dishes and more time to actually enjoy your meal
  • The balance of sweet and savory hits that universal comfort spot that satisfies everyone at the table
02 -
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so if it seems slightly loose in the pan, that's actually perfect timing
  • Don't rinse your pasta after draining, as the starch on the noodles helps the sauce adhere better
  • Smoked paprika is different from regular paprika, and using the right one makes a noticeable difference in the final depth of flavor
03 -
  • Pat your sausage slices dry before searing if they seem particularly moist, which helps them brown better instead of steam
  • If your sauce thickens too much, a splash more broth brings it back to the perfect glossy consistency
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta back in, as this is your last chance to adjust the honey or soy balance

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