One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta is the ultimate easy dinner. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly cooked pasta every time. The cozy, melty cheese and crispy sausage will make your family beg for this better-than-takeout dinner. Try it with my Honey Lime Chicken for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try this with my Honey Lime Chicken and For a lighter option, try my Easy Sushi Bake.
Why This One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly cooked pasta in one pot
- Juicy, crispy sausage in every bite
- Sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce
- Comforting, cozy dinner ready in 30 minutes
What You'll Need for One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 8 oz (225g) penne pasta
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup (240ml) honey BBQ sauce
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (115g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (55g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
- Optional: Fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Italian sausage: You can use mild, spicy, or a mix. Remove casings for easier cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked sausage every time → See on Amazon
- High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents pasta from sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
How to Make One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
- Cook sausage: In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add pasta: Add uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and BBQ sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened.
- Add cheese: Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Divide pasta among plates and garnish with fresh basil and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the pasta. It can become mushy. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally.
- Time-saving tip: Use pre-cooked sausage to save time. Just slice and add to the skillet.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store in the fridge. Cook when ready.
Storing & Reheating One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy 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 recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy 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 (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños when cooking the sausage.
- Best substitution: Substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store in the fridge. Cook when ready.
- 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 chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality wooden spoon — Perfect for stirring and tossing pasta in the skillet → Check price on Amazon
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) penne pasta
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup (240ml) honey BBQ sauce
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (115g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (55g) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook sausage: In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add pasta: Add uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and BBQ sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened.
- Add cheese: Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Divide pasta among plates and garnish with fresh basil and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños when cooking the sausage.
- Best substitution: Substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store in the fridge. Cook when ready.
- 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 chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
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 (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 27g
- Carbs: 70g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 1400mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy Dinner FAQs
Yes, prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store in the fridge. Cook when ready.
Overcooking the pasta can cause it to become mushy. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally.
Yes, substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey for a different flavor profile.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to serve.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta: Cozy, Easy 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!
