Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta

$- 300g penne pasta - 200g 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) - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley - Grated Parmesan cheese for serving In this recipe, we use penne pasta as the base. It holds sauce well and adds great texture. I love using Italian sausage for its rich flavor. It adds depth to the dish. The honey gives a sweet touch that balances the savory sausage. Garlic brings a nice aroma and taste, making every bite special. For the sauce, soy sauce adds a savory element. It enhances the overall flavor profile. Olive oil helps cook the sausage, keeping it juicy. Optional red pepper flakes can add a kick, perfect for spice lovers. Don’t forget salt and pepper to enhance all the flavors. Fresh parsley adds brightness and color. Finally, grated Parmesan cheese makes it all come together. It adds a creamy finish that you’ll love. Each ingredient plays a key role in making this dish a flavorful delight. Enjoy the process of cooking and taste the magic as you put it all together! {{ingredient_image_1}} - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. - Add 300g of penne pasta and cook until al dente. Cooking pasta is simple but key to this dish. I recommend checking the package for timing. Drain the pasta and save 1/2 cup of the cooking water. This water helps adjust the sauce later. - Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. - Add 200g of Italian sausage (without casings) and brown it thoroughly. I like to break the sausage apart with a spatula while it cooks. This way, it gets a nice, even color. It usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes to cook. - Sauté 4 minced cloves of garlic with the sausage. - Add 3 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Push the sausage to one side of the skillet. Add the garlic and cook until it smells amazing, about 1 minute. Then mix it all together. The honey and soy sauce create a sweet and savory sauce. - Toss the cooked pasta with the sausage and sauce. - Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Mix everything well. If the dish seems dry, pour in a bit of the reserved pasta water. This helps make it creamy and smooth. - Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. - Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top. Once everything is combined, remove it from the heat. The parsley adds freshness and color. I love to sprinkle a good amount of Parmesan cheese on top before serving. It gives a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the dish. Pick a sausage that fits your taste. You can choose mild for a gentle flavor or spicy for a kick. Italian sausage works well in this dish. It adds great taste and keeps the dish fun. You can change the sweetness by adding more or less honey. If you love heat, add more red pepper flakes. Start small and taste as you go. This way, you control the flavors to match your liking. Serve this pasta with a side of crusty bread. It soaks up the tasty sauce perfectly. You can also add a fresh salad. The crunch and freshness balance the sticky pasta well. Enjoy your meal with family or friends! Pro Tips Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides a much stronger flavor than pre-minced or jarred garlic, enhancing the overall taste of the dish. Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of honey or substitute with a low-sugar alternative, ensuring the balance of flavors remains intact. Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cooking the pasta al dente ensures it maintains its texture and holds up well when mixed with the sauce. Garnish Generously: Chopped parsley not only adds color but also a fresh flavor that brightens up the dish, so don’t skimp on the garnish! {{image_2}} You can easily make a vegetarian version of this dish. Just swap the Italian sausage for a vegan alternative. Many brands offer tasty plant-based sausage that works well. Look for options made from soy or pea protein. They provide a similar texture and flavor. You can even add some smoked paprika for a smoky taste. This change keeps the dish hearty while being meat-free. Adding vegetables boosts the dish's nutrition and flavor. Spinach is a great choice; it wilts nicely into the pasta. Bell peppers add a sweet crunch, while zucchini brings a mild taste. Chop these veggies and sauté them with the sausage. They will soak up the honey garlic sauce. You can mix and match based on your favorite vegetables or what you have on hand. For a gluten-free meal, switch the penne pasta for gluten-free pasta. There are many brands that offer good alternatives made from rice or corn. Just cook them according to the package directions. The key is to ensure they stay al dente. This way, they hold up well in the dish. You can enjoy all the tasty flavors without worrying about gluten. To keep your Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Make sure to let it cool first. This helps keep moisture locked in and prevents sogginess. Refrigerate the pasta within two hours of cooking. It will stay good for up to three days. When reheating, I always suggest using the stove or microwave. For the stove, warm it in a pan over low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir often until heated through. In the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish. Cover it loosely to allow steam to escape. Heat in short bursts, stirring between, until hot. This way, you avoid drying it out. Yes, you can freeze this pasta! To freeze, let it cool completely. Place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can last for up to three months. To thaw, move it to the fridge overnight. Reheat it slowly on the stove or in the microwave. If it seems dry, add a splash of water or broth as you reheat. This dish is quick to prepare. You need about 10 minutes to prep. The cooking time takes around 15 minutes. Altogether, it takes just 25 minutes from start to finish. Yes, you can use various pasta types. If you don’t have penne, try fusilli or rigatoni. These shapes hold the sauce well. You can also use spaghetti for a twist. Just adjust the cooking time based on the pasta you choose. The recipe has a mild heat. It includes red pepper flakes, but they are optional. If you like it spicy, add more flakes. If you prefer no heat, leave them out. The honey and garlic keep it sweet and flavorful, balancing the taste. This blog post shared how to make Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and tips for a great meal. You learned how to adjust flavors and explore variations, like vegetarian options. Remember, you can enjoy this dish in many ways. Experiment with ingredients to suit your taste. Don't forget about storage tips for leftovers. Cooking should be fun and flexible. Now it's time to gather your ingredients and start cooking! Enjoy the delicious results!$

Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta

A delicious pasta dish with sweet and savory flavors from honey and garlic, combined with Italian sausage.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 450 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
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
to taste Salt and pepper
0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
to serve Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.
Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, push the sausage to one side and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, then mix it with the sausage.
Add Honey and Soy Sauce: Drizzle honey and soy sauce over the sausage and garlic. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes if using, then stir everything together to coat the sausage in the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine with the sausage and sauce. If the pasta seems dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water until desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley. Serve immediately topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Keyword honey garlic, pasta, sausage