One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner
One-pot honey BBQ sausage pasta is the ultimate cozy dinner. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the sauce and technique. The honey and BBQ sauce create a rich, golden, and melty masterpiece. Before you dive in, check out my Summer Corn and Zucchini Chowder for a light starter. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Summer Corn and Zucchini Chowder and No Bake Rhubarb Cheesecake Squares.
Why This One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Easy one-pot cleanup
- Creamy, tangy, and sweet sauce
- Perfect for busy weeknights
What You'll Need for One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Italian sausage: Use mild or spicy, depending on your preference.
- Penne pasta: Any short pasta shape will work.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect pasta and sausage → See on Amazon
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer — Ensures sausage is cooked to a safe temperature → See on Amazon
How to Make One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner
- Step 1: In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add onion and garlic. Cook until softened. Add pasta, honey, BBQ sauce, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 3: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy. Add sausage back to the skillet and stir to combine. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to absorb liquid and soften after you remove it from the heat. If it's still too firm, add a little more broth and cook for a few more minutes.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the skillet when you add the garlic.
- Pro tip: To make this dish even creamier, stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water before adding the heavy cream.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use low-sodium chicken broth.
Storing & Reheating One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner
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 of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with sliced mushrooms or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute it with an equal amount of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the sausage, onion, and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to use.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more broth or water to thin it out. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality BBQ sauce — Makes all the difference in this dish → Check price on Amazon
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add onion and garlic. Cook until softened. Add pasta, honey, BBQ sauce, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 3: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy. Add sausage back to the skillet and stir to combine. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with sliced mushrooms or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute it with an equal amount of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the sausage, onion, and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to use.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more broth or water to thin it out. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
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. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 750
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 40g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sausage, onion, and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to use. However, the pasta may become too soft if left to sit in the sauce for too long.
The pasta may have absorbed too much liquid or been overcooked. To prevent this, make sure to keep an eye on the cooking time and add more broth if necessary.
Yes, you can make this dish in the Instant Pot. Cook the sausage separately, then combine all the ingredients and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes with a quick release.
This dish pairs well with a side salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables. For a cozy fall meal, try serving it with my No Bake Rhubarb Cheesecake Squares for dessert.
Yes, you can use any short pasta shape for this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Easy & Cozy Dinner 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!
