Creamy Honey Garlic Sausage Pasta
A delicious and comforting pasta dish featuring juicy smoked sausage in a rich, creamy garlic sauce enhanced by sweet honey, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz smoked sausage (choose between andouille or kielbasa)
- 8 oz pasta (opt for rigatoni, penne, or spaghetti)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- 1 cup chicken broth (for a savory foundation)
- 1 cup heavy cream (for creaminess)
- 1/4 cup honey (adds sweetness)
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (for umami depth)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced (for aromatic flavor)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (to balance sweetness)
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (for heat)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken sauce)
- 1 tbsp water (to mix with cornstarch)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (for serving)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear sliced sausage for about 7 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes until combined.
Cooking
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to scrape up any browned bits left from the sausage.
- Add dry pasta to the skillet and bring to a gentle boil. Lower the heat, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
- Stir in the honey garlic sauce, then mix cornstarch with water and add it to the skillet. Simmer for 3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Return the sausage to the skillet and combine everything for a couple of minutes until heated through.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley or basil.
Notes
For added flavor, let the sausage caramelize longer in the skillet. Adjust the heat level by changing the amount of red pepper flakes. You can replace heavy cream with half-and-half or use turkey/chicken sausage.