One-Skillet Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta

$- 12 oz penne pasta - 1 lb smoked sausage - 1 cup chicken broth - 1 medium onion - 1 bell pepper - 2 cloves garlic - 1 cup corn - 1/2 cup honey BBQ sauce - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - Salt and black pepper - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese - Fresh parsley For this One-Skillet Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta, the ingredients play a key role in making it a tasty dish. The penne pasta is the heart of the meal. It cooks nicely and holds the sauce well. The smoked sausage adds a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet honey BBQ sauce. Next, we have the chicken broth. This adds moisture and depth to the sauce. It brings everything together in a warm, comforting way. The vegetables and aromatics are crucial too. The onion and bell pepper add sweetness and crunch. Garlic brings a punch of flavor that makes your taste buds dance. Corn adds a nice texture and a hint of sweetness. The sauces and seasonings elevate the dish. Honey BBQ sauce gives it that yummy, sticky glaze. Smoked paprika adds a touch of warmth and a bit of smokiness. Don't forget to season with salt and black pepper to enhance all the flavors. Finally, the garnishes make everything look and taste better. Shredded cheddar cheese melts on top, creating a gooey layer. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness. These details take the dish from good to great! {{ingredient_image_2}} - Bring salted water to a boil. - Cook penne pasta until al dente. Start by filling a large pot with water. Add a generous pinch of salt to enhance flavor. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the penne pasta and stir. Cook it according to the package instructions. Aim for al dente texture; this means the pasta should be firm but not hard. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside. Save a splash of pasta water for later use. - Heat olive oil. - Brown the sliced smoked sausage. In a large skillet, pour in a tablespoon of olive oil. Heat it over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the sliced smoked sausage to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. You want it to turn a nice brown color. This adds flavor to your dish. Once browned, remove the sausage and set it aside. - Sauté onion and bell pepper until soft. - Add garlic and corn to the skillet. In the same skillet, add your finely diced onion and diced bell pepper. Sauté them for 3-4 minutes. Stir occasionally until the veggies soften. The onion should become translucent. Next, add minced garlic and corn to the mix. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. This step fills your kitchen with an amazing aroma. - Return sausage to the skillet. - Deglaze with chicken broth. - Add honey BBQ sauce and smoked paprika. Now, it’s time to return the browned sausage to the skillet. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze. This means scraping up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom. Stir in the honey BBQ sauce and smoked paprika. Mix everything well so each piece is coated with flavor. - Fold cooked penne into the mixture. - Adjust sauce consistency if needed. Gently fold the cooked penne pasta into the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well mixed. If the sauce is too thick, use that reserved pasta water. Add a little splash until you reach your desired consistency. Let the dish simmer for 2-3 minutes to heat through. - Top with shredded cheddar cheese. - Cover and melt the cheese. Finally, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta. Cover the skillet with a lid. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes. This allows the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious layer. Enjoy the sight of your beautiful dish before serving! To get the best pasta, cook it for 10 to 12 minutes. This timing gives you a nice al dente texture. Al dente means the pasta is firm but cooked. It will hold up well in the sauce. Always remember to reserve some pasta water. This water has starch that helps thicken the sauce later. You can add more spices to boost the flavor. Try adding red pepper flakes for heat or Italian herbs for depth. If you want it sweeter, add more honey BBQ sauce. To cut the sweetness, add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. One-skillet meals save time and dishes. You cook everything in one place, which makes clean-up easy. To cook efficiently, prep all your ingredients first. This way, you won’t waste time while cooking. A non-stick skillet helps keep food from sticking and makes cleaning easier. Pro Tips Cook Pasta Al Dente: Always cook the pasta until it is just al dente. This ensures it holds up well when mixed with the sauce and prevents it from becoming mushy. Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, opt for fresh vegetables and high-quality sausage for the best flavor and texture in your dish. Experiment with BBQ Sauce: Feel free to customize your BBQ sauce by adding spices or a dash of hot sauce to tailor it to your taste preferences. Let Cheese Melt Properly: Cover the skillet while the cheese melts to create a gooey texture. This will enhance the overall creaminess of the dish. {{image_4}} You can switch the smoked sausage for other meats. Chicken, turkey, or even beef work well. Each option adds its own taste. If you want a lighter choice, try using chicken sausage. It gives the same great flavor with fewer calories. For plant-based eaters, plant-based sausage is a fantastic option. These sausages are tasty and mimic the texture of meat. They absorb flavors well, making them a perfect fit for this dish. You can create your own honey BBQ sauce at home. Just mix honey, ketchup, vinegar, and spices. This gives you a fresh taste and allows you to adjust the sweetness. If you want to try different flavors, you can use marinara sauce or Alfredo. A spicy arrabbiata sauce can also add a kick. Feel free to explore new taste profiles that excite your palate. Using seasonal vegetables can make this dish even better. Fresh zucchini, asparagus, or mushrooms add great texture and flavor. They also boost your meal's nutrition. Incorporating greens is another smart choice. Spinach or kale mixes well into this pasta. They add color and a healthy twist. Plus, they cook down nicely and blend into the dish. To store leftovers, let the pasta cool down. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh. Place it in the fridge. The pasta lasts about 3 to 4 days. For best taste, enjoy it within this time. To freeze this dish, first cool it completely. Then, scoop portions into freezer-safe bags or containers. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Label each bag with the date. The pasta can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months. To keep the pasta moist, add a splash of water when reheating. You can microwave it or heat it on the stovetop. If using a microwave, cover the bowl to trap steam. Stir halfway through to heat evenly. On the stovetop, warm it over low heat, stirring gently. Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. To prepare, cook the pasta and sausage as directed. Then, let everything cool. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, just reheat it in a skillet. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it moist while heating. This meal tastes great even after a day or two in the fridge! Pair this dish with simple sides. Here are some ideas: - Garlic bread for a crunchy bite. - A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette. - Steamed broccoli or green beans for added veggies. - Coleslaw for a crunchy contrast. These sides complement the pasta well and add more flavor to your meal. Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free! Just use gluten-free penne pasta. Many brands offer tasty options made from rice, corn, or lentils. These pasta types cook similarly to regular pasta. Check the package for cooking times. This way, everyone can enjoy this delicious meal without gluten. This blog post shared a tasty recipe for One-Skillet Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta. You learned about key ingredients, from pasta to spices. I provided step-by-step instructions for cooking and tips to enhance flavor. You can make it your own with different proteins and veggies. In short, this dish is easy, quick, and perfect for busy days. Enjoy making it and impress your friends with your cooking skills!$

One-Skillet Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta

A delicious and easy one-skillet meal featuring penne pasta, smoked sausage, and a sweet honey BBQ sauce.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper diced (red or yellow)
1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
1 cup chicken broth
0.5 cup honey BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
to taste salt and black pepper
0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Start by filling a large pot with salted water and bringing it to a vigorous boil. Carefully add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside, retaining a splash of pasta water in case you need to adjust the sauce later.
In a large skillet over medium heat, warmth the olive oil until it shimmers. Add in the slices of smoked sausage, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until they develop a lovely brown color and are heated through. Once browned, remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
Using the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent. Then introduce the minced garlic and corn to the mix, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
Return the browned sausage to the skillet. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. Stir in the honey BBQ sauce and smoked paprika, ensuring everything is well-coated and combined.
Gently fold the cooked penne pasta into the mixture in the skillet, tossing everything together thoroughly. If the sauce appears too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Allow the dish to simmer for an extra 2-3 minutes so everything is heated through. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Top the pasta dish with the shredded cheddar cheese, then cover the skillet with a lid. Let it sit for about 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and formed a gooey blanket over the pasta.
Carefully remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish the delicious mixture with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy this comforting one-skillet meal!

Notes

Feel free to adjust the vegetables based on your preference.

Keyword one-skillet, pasta, quick meal, sausage