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To make Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta, gather these simple yet tasty ingredients: - Penne pasta - Italian sausage - Honey - Garlic - Soy sauce - Olive oil - Red pepper flakes - Salt and pepper - Fresh parsley - Grated Parmesan cheese These ingredients come together to create a dish full of flavor and comfort. The penne pasta has a great shape that holds the sauce well. The Italian sausage adds a savory kick, while honey brings a nice sweetness. Garlic gives the dish depth, and soy sauce adds umami. Using fresh parsley at the end brightens the meal and adds color. Grated Parmesan cheese offers a lovely creaminess that pairs well with the sticky sauce. Gathering these items is the first step to a delightful meal. You can find most of them at your local grocery store. Each ingredient plays a key role in making this dish a flavorful delight. {{ingredient_image_2}} First, fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring this water to a vigorous boil. Once the water is boiling, add 300g of penne pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes. After cooking, drain the pasta, but save about 1/2 cup of the cooking water for later. Next, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it warm up. When the oil shimmers, add 200g of Italian sausage with the casings removed. Use a spatula to break apart the sausage as it cooks. Sauté the sausage for about 5-7 minutes. Look for it to turn a nice golden brown and be fully cooked. In the same skillet, move the sausage to one side. This creates space for the garlic. Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the empty side. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it smells fragrant. Mix the garlic with the sausage to blend the flavors. Then, drizzle in 3 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. If you like spice, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Stir everything together. Let the mixture cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit. Now, add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sausage and sauce. Toss everything gently. Make sure each piece of pasta is coated well in the sauce. If the pasta seems dry, slowly add some of the reserved cooking water until you reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once everything is mixed and heated through, remove the skillet from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve the pasta right away. Top with grated Parmesan cheese for a rich flavor. Enjoy your sticky honey garlic sausage pasta! To get the right sauce thickness, add honey and soy sauce slowly. Stir often as you cook. If the sauce is too thick, use some pasta water. This step helps create a nice blend. For balance, adjust sweetness with soy sauce. A touch of salt also helps enhance the flavor. Cook the penne pasta until it is al dente, which usually takes about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t get mushy. For the sausage, brown it well for 5-7 minutes. Make sure it is fully cooked without any pink inside. This way, you ensure a tasty meal. For a beautiful finish, you can garnish with fresh parsley. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a nice touch too. Serve the pasta in large bowls for a family-style meal. You can also drizzle a bit of olive oil for shine. This shows off the dish's colors and makes it more inviting. Pro Tips Perfect Pasta: Always cook your pasta al dente for the best texture. This will ensure it holds up well when tossed with the sauce. Fresh Garlic: Use fresh garlic for a more robust flavor. Pre-minced garlic can lose its potency, so always opt for fresh cloves. Honey Substitution: If you prefer a different sweetness, consider using maple syrup or agave nectar as a substitute for honey. Herb Variations: Feel free to switch up the parsley with other herbs like basil or cilantro for a unique twist on flavor. {{image_4}} You can switch up the pasta type to suit your taste. While I love penne, you could use spaghetti, fusilli, or even gluten-free pasta. Each type brings its own charm. When it comes to sausage, you don’t have to stick to Italian. Chicken sausage or turkey sausage works well too. If you want a smoky flavor, try andouillette sausage. Add some fresh veggies for extra color and nutrition. Bell peppers, spinach, or even zucchini can make a great addition. You can toss them in with the sausage for a quick cook. If you enjoy heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce. You control the spice level. To make this dish gluten-free, just use gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer great options that taste just as good. For a vegetarian version, skip the sausage and use mushrooms or plant-based sausage. You can also add beans for protein and texture. This makes the meal hearty without meat. To keep your sticky honey garlic sausage pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. This method prevents air from spoiling the food. Place the pasta in the fridge within two hours of cooking for best results. It stays good for up to three days. When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can reheat them in a few easy ways. The best method is to use the stove. Gently warm the pasta over low heat while stirring. This helps keep the sauce from burning. You can add a splash of water or olive oil to keep the pasta moist. If you prefer, you can use a microwave. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat it in short bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between. This warms the pasta evenly. For the best flavor and texture, always check that your pasta is hot throughout before serving. Enjoy every bite of this tasty dish! To make this dish gluten-free, swap the penne pasta for a gluten-free brand. Many stores sell rice, corn, or lentil pasta. These options work well and taste great. Just cook them according to the package instructions. Yes, you can use other types of sausage. Chicken, turkey, or even vegan sausage work well. Each will change the flavor slightly, but they will still taste delicious. Try to choose sausages you love. If you want a sugar-free option, use sugar-free maple syrup or agave nectar. Both will add sweetness without sugar. You could also use mashed ripe bananas for a unique taste and natural sweetness. You can prepare this dish ahead of time. Cook the pasta and sausage, then store them separately. When ready to eat, mix them and heat in a pan. This saves time on busy nights. Leftover pasta lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. When reheating, add a splash of water to keep it moist and tasty. This blog shared a tasty Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta recipe. You learned how to cook the pasta, brown the sausage, and make the sauce. I offered tips for perfecting the dish and showed how to adjust for different tastes. With simple variations and storage advice, you can make this meal your own. Try it out, enjoy the flavors, and impress your friends and family with your cooking skills. Happy cooking!

Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta

A delicious pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, honey, and garlic in a sticky sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g penne pasta
  • 200 g Italian sausage (casings removed)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • for serving Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Once at a boil, add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it's al dente. After cooking, drain the pasta, making sure to reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water for later use.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Sauté the sausage for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is nicely browned and cooked through.
  • In the same skillet, push the cooked sausage to one side, creating space for the minced garlic. Add the minced garlic and sauté for around 1 minute until it becomes fragrant, then combine it with the sausage to infuse the flavors.
  • Drizzle the honey and soy sauce over the sausage and garlic. If you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle in the red pepper flakes. Stir everything together to ensure the sausage is well-coated in the sticky sauce. Allow the mixture to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  • Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sausage and sauce. Toss everything gently to combine, ensuring each piece of pasta is coated in the flavorful sauce. If you find the pasta too dry, gradually add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water until you achieve your desired consistency. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
  • Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the pasta immediately, generously topped with grated Parmesan cheese for a rich finish.

Notes

For an elegant touch, serve the pasta in large bowls or plates, garnished with additional parsley and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Keyword honey garlic, pasta, sausage