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High Protein Sticky Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta Skillet

Caramelized smoked sausage in a sweet-savory honey garlic glaze tossed with pasta for a one-pan dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian-inspired
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb smoked sausage or kielbasa sliced into rounds
  • 8-10 oz penne or rotini pasta
  • 2 cups broccoli florets optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • sliced green onions for garnish
  • sesame seeds for garnish

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • whisk
  • tongs

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. If using broccoli, add florets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sriracha (if using), and ground ginger in a small bowl until thoroughly combined and smooth.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage rounds in a single layer and let sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until caramelized on the bottom. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until both sides are golden brown with darker edges.
  4. Pour prepared honey garlic sauce over the browned sausage. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, as the sauce reduces and thickens into a sticky glaze that coats the sausage.
  5. Add drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with glazed sausage. Toss thoroughly using tongs or a large spoon to coat everything in the sticky sauce.
  6. Let everything cook together for 1-2 minutes, tossing occasionally, allowing pasta to absorb sauce and flavors to meld. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen.
  7. Remove from heat and garnish generously with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while hot and sauce is at its stickiest.

Notes

Storage: Store in airtight container for up to 4 days. Sauce will thicken in refrigerator—add water or broth when reheating. Sauce control: Reserve pasta water to thin sauce if it becomes too thick or sticky. Heat management: Use medium heat once sauce is added to prevent honey from burning. Variations: Use turkey or chicken sausage for leaner option. Add bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots for more vegetables. Gluten-free: Use tamari and gluten-free pasta. Extra sticky: Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and add to simmering sauce for thicker glaze.