This Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta is the ultimate one-pan wonder—packed with smoky sausage, al dente pasta, and a sticky-sweet-spicy sauce that coats every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want big flavor with minimal cleanup!
Why You’ll Love It:
✔️ One skillet = easy cleanup
✔️ Balanced heat & sweetness (adjust spice to taste)
✔️ Pantry-friendly ingredients
✔️ Kid-approved (just reduce the spice)
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🛒 Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta (or any short pasta)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 14 oz (400g) smoked sausage, sliced into ½” rounds
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For Garnish:
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Sausage
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet (or Dutch oven) over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté Aromatics
- In the same skillet, add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3️⃣ Cook the Pasta
- Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, BBQ sauce, honey, and smoked paprika. Stir well.
- Add uncooked pasta and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
4️⃣ Finish & Serve
- Stir in the browned sausage and cook for 2 more minutes to heat through.
- Season with salt & black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese before serving.
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Notes:
- High protein from sausage & cheese
- Lower-fat option: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream
- Sodium alert: Use low-sodium broth if needed
🌟 Pro Tips
✅ Extra creamy? Stir in ¼ cup cream cheese at the end.
✅ Spice control: Omit red pepper flakes for a mild version.
✅ Leftovers? Stores well in the fridge for 3 days (add a splash of broth when reheating).
🍝🔥 One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
Description
Smoked sausage and tender pasta simmer together in a rich, creamy sauce made with honey, BBQ sauce, and a kick of red pepper flakes. Finished with fresh parsley and parmesan for a restaurant-quality dish at home.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
For Garnish:
Instructions
Brown the Sausage
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet (or Dutch oven) over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics
- In the same skillet, add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the Pasta
- Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, BBQ sauce, honey, and smoked paprika. Stir well.
- Add uncooked pasta and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
Finish & Serve
- Stir in the browned sausage and cook for 2 more minutes to heat through.
- Season with salt & black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition Facts
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 550kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 28g44%
- Saturated Fat 14g70%
- Total Carbohydrate 52g18%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Sugars 18g
- Protein 22g44%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- High protein from sausage & cheese
- Lower-fat option: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream
- Sodium alert: Use low-sodium broth if needed
