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Savory Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring smoky sausage, a spicy kick, and a sticky-sweet honey BBQ sauce, perfect for a hearty and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage links (mild or spicy)
  • ½ cup honey BBQ sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
  • 12 ounces dry pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Handful fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup water or chicken broth (to loosen sauce if needed)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Remove sausage from casings if preferred. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through with some crispy bits. Transfer sausage to a plate using a slotted spoon.
  3. In the same skillet, add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 30 seconds.
  4. Return cooked sausage to the skillet. Pour in ½ cup honey BBQ sauce and stir. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors and thicken sauce. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat with sauce. Heat for 1-2 minutes until piping hot.
  6. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top if using, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Brown the sausage well for a nice crust and deeper flavor. Use fresh garlic for best taste. Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use plant-based cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: sausage pasta, honey BBQ sauce, spicy pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, savory pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/savory-spicy-honey-bbq-sausage-pasta-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/