Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
One-pot honey BBQ sausage pasta is your new favorite easy dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy sausage and creamy pasta every time. The warm, comforting aroma of this dish will fill your home and make your family beg for seconds. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries and Beef Stir Fry with Vegetables.
Why This Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Easy one-pot cleanup
- Golden, crispy sausage
- Creamy, tangy BBQ sauce
- Perfect for busy weeknights
What You'll Need for Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- sausage: You can use spicy Italian sausage if you prefer a little heat.
- pasta: Any short pasta shape will work in this recipe.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly cooked sausage and pasta. → See on Amazon
- Measuring Cups and Spoons Set — Accurate measurements for consistent results. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Add the pasta to the skillet and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain any excess water.
- Make the sauce: Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the BBQ sauce, honey, heavy cream, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the sauce. If the pasta is too soft, drain some of the sauce to thicken it up.
- Pro tip: For a little extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Pro tip: To make this dish even heartier, add some cooked vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
Storing & Reheating Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little chicken broth or water.
Want to level up this recipe?
Kitchen Timer — Ensures perfectly cooked pasta every time. → Check price on Amazon
Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Add the pasta to the skillet and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain any excess water.
- Make the sauce: Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the BBQ sauce, honey, heavy cream, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little chicken broth or water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 1400mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 14g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, this dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The pasta may have been overcooked. To prevent this, drain some of the sauce to thicken it up or add a little chicken broth or water to the sauce.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer. The pasta and sausage need to cook in a large skillet on the stovetop.
You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
Yes, you can substitute the sausage with cooked, shredded chicken. Add the chicken to the skillet after the pasta has cooked and before adding the sauce ingredients.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
