Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet – Easy One Pan Dinner

Weeknight dinners don’t need a pep talk—they need a plan. Preferably one that involves a skillet, a little honey, and zero drama. That’s where this sticky honey garlic sausage pasta skillet slides in like it owns the place. One bite and suddenly everyone’s hovering around the stove asking, “Is it done yet?”

This dish is pure comfort with an edge. Juicy sausage hits the pan first, sizzling and getting golden. Garlic follows (because obviously), then honey and soy sauce swoop in to create that glossy, sticky magic that coats every noodle. Tossed with pasta, it turns into the kind of meal that tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did. FYI, it didn’t—30 minutes, tops.

What makes this honey garlic sausage pasta so lovable? It nails that sweet-salty balance without being over the top. The honey caramelizes just enough, the soy sauce brings depth, and the sausage does the heavy lifting. Want heat? Add chili flakes. Feeling virtuous? Toss in some spinach or bell peppers. IMO, flexibility is half the charm.

This recipe lives in the sweet spot between “easy” and “wow.” It’s why honey garlic sausage recipes like this one stick around in weekly rotations. Whether you call it sticky honey sausage pasta, honey sausage pasta, or go all in with sticky honey garlic beef sausage pasta skillet, the result is the same: empty plates and zero leftovers.

I’ve made plenty of recipes with honey garlic sausage, but this one-pan wonder always wins. Kids eat it without complaints. Adults go back for seconds. Someone always asks for the recipe. Coincidence? Not a chance.

So grab that skillet and clear some counter space. Sticky honey garlic sausage pasta skillet night is about to become a thing.

Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet – Easy One Pan Dinner

Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Total: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Category: Dinner Author: Aleda

This one-pan honey garlic sausage pasta is all about bold flavor with minimal effort. Tender pasta gets tossed with golden-browned sausage and coated in a glossy sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of vinegar. The result is a sweet-and-savory skillet dinner that comes together fast and tastes like comfort food done right.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces penne, rotini, or any short pasta you love
• 1 pound Italian sausage, smoked sausage, or chicken sausage, sliced into ½-inch pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (optional, adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for topping

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta
   Fill a large pot with water, season generously with salt, and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just tender with a slight bite, following the package directions. Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of the starchy cooking water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and leave it un-rinsed so the sauce sticks better later.
2. Brown the Sausage
   Warm the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook, stirring now and then, until nicely browned and lightly crisped on the edges, about 5–7 minutes. Lower the heat slightly, add the garlic, and cook for about 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
   In a small bowl, stir together the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the sausage and garlic. Let it bubble gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and clings to the sausage.
4. Toss Everything Together
   Add the drained pasta straight into the skillet. Toss well so every piece is coated in the sticky sauce. If the pasta looks a little dry, add some of the reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
5. Finish and Serve
   Take the skillet off the heat and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve right away while hot.

Share :