30-Minute One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta Perfection

Name: 30-Minute One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta Perfection
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, sliced; 8 oz penne pasta; 1 cup BBQ sauce; 2 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 cup diced onion; 1 bell pepper, sliced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; Salt and pepper to taste

Author: lia

Published: August 9, 2025

Updated: August 10, 2025

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Listen, if there’s one recipe that saves me on those “I can’t even” weeknights, it’s this One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta. Picture this: smoky sausage, al dente pasta, and that sticky-sweet-spicy sauce all coming together in ONE pan – because who has time for dishes? The magic happens in under 30 minutes, but tastes like you fussed for hours. That honey BBQ glaze clinging to every bite? Absolute perfection. My family goes nuts for this dish, and I love that it’s hearty enough to satisfy my meat-loving husband but balanced enough that my spice-wimpy kiddo will devour it too (just don’t tell her there’s a little kick!).

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta

One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta - detail 1

Let me count the ways this dish will become your new weeknight hero:

One pan wonder: Say goodbye to dish mountain – everything cooks together in a single skillet
Flavor fireworks: That sweet-spicy-tangy combo hits all the right notes (trust me, you’ll lick the spoon)
30-minute magic: Faster than takeout but tastes like you simmered it for hours
Totally customizable: Swap in mild sausage or dial up the heat – it’s your kitchen, your rules!

This recipe is my ultimate “looks fancy but secretly easy” dinner trick – give it a try and watch it become your new go-to. For more easy dinner ideas, check out our dinner recipes.

Ingredients for One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta

Okay, let’s talk ingredients – and I promise, nothing fancy here! Just good stuff you probably have on hand (or can grab in one quick supermarket dash):

1 lb spicy Italian sausage – casings removed, sliced into coins (trust me, removing the casings makes all the difference for that perfect bite!)
8 oz penne pasta – uncooked, the ridges catch all that glorious sauce
1 cup BBQ sauce – use your favorite bottled kind or my homemade version if you’re feeling fancy
2 tbsp honey – the magic sweetener that balances the heat
1 tbsp olive oil – just enough to get things sizzling
1/2 cup diced onion – yellow or white, whatever’s in your crisper
1 bell pepper – sliced thin (I use red for sweetness, but any color works)
2 cloves garlic – minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder in a pinch)
1 1/2 cups chicken broth – low-sodium if you’re watching salt
Salt and pepper – to taste (but go easy – that sausage brings plenty of flavor!)

Ingredient Substitutions & Notes

No spicy Italian sausage? No problem! Here’s how to make this dish work with what you’ve got:

Mild sausage works great if you’re not into heat – or try chicken sausage for a lighter version
Out of honey? Maple syrup or brown sugar (1 tbsp) makes a fine substitute
Vegetarians can use plant-based sausage and swap in veggie broth
Gluten-free pasta? It works! Just check the package – some brands need an extra splash of broth
Pro tip: If your BBQ sauce is super thick, thin it with a bit of broth before adding

See? This recipe bends to your pantry’s will! Just don’t skip the sausage – that’s where all the magic starts. For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Pinterest.

How to Make One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta

Alright, let’s get cooking! Here’s exactly how I make this dish come together like clockwork (with minimal mess – promise!):

Brown that sausage: Heat olive oil in your largest skillet over medium-high. Add sausage slices in a single layer – don’t crowd them! Let them get nicely browned, about 3 minutes per side (those crispy edges = flavor gold).
Sauté the veggies: Push sausage to one side and add onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Stir for 2-3 minutes until they start getting soft and smelling amazing – that’s your kitchen perfume right there!
Bring on the good stuff: Dump in uncooked pasta, BBQ sauce, honey, and broth. Give it all a good stir, scraping up those delicious browned bits from the pan bottom (that’s free flavor, folks!). Bring to a lively boil.
Simmer to perfection: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it bubble gently for 12 minutes. No peeking for the first 8 minutes – we’re trapping that steam to cook the pasta! Then give it one good stir and check doneness – pasta should be al dente with just a little bite.
Final touches: Taste and add salt/pepper if needed (go easy – remember the sausage is salty!). Let it sit uncovered for 2 minutes to thicken the sauce before serving.

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Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Pan size matters! Use at least a 12-inch skillet – this dish needs room to bubble without boiling over.
Stir that pasta! Around the 10-minute mark, give it a gentle stir to prevent sticking (especially with gluten-free pasta).
Broth too low? If pasta isn’t tender by 12 minutes, add 1/4 cup more broth and cook 2 minutes longer.
Watch the clock! Overcooked pasta turns to mush – taste test at 10 minutes if your stove runs hot.

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have restaurant-worthy pasta with barely any cleanup. Now that’s what I call a win! If you enjoyed this, you might also like our one-pot cheeseburger orzo skillet.

Serving Suggestions for One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta

This dish stands tall on its own, but I love rounding it out with some fresh garlic bread to mop up every last drop of sauce. A simple arugula salad with lemon dressing cuts the richness perfectly. For garnish, a shower of chopped parsley adds color, while Parmesan cheese takes it over the top – just like my Italian grandma used to do!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Here’s how to keep your leftovers tasting just-as-good-as-day-one (because let’s be real – this dish never lasts long in my fridge!): Store cooled pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, splash in a tablespoon or two of broth while warming on the stove over medium-low – it’ll bring that sauce back to life beautifully. Whatever you do, don’t microwave it uncovered unless you want sad, dried-out pasta! Pro tip: The flavors actually deepen overnight – if you can resist eating it straight from the fridge.

One-Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage & Pasta FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the things people ask me most about this recipe:

Can I use turkey sausage instead?
Absolutely! Turkey sausage works great – just reduce cooking time by about 2 minutes since it’s leaner and cooks faster. You might want to add an extra drizzle of honey to balance the flavor.

How spicy is this dish?
With regular spicy Italian sausage, it’s got a nice kick but isn’t overwhelming. For spice wimps (no judgment!), use mild sausage. Heat lovers can add red pepper flakes or extra spicy BBQ sauce.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Honestly? I don’t recommend it. The pasta turns mushy when thawed – but it keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3 days, so just make a fresh batch if you want more later!

What if my sauce is too thin/thick?
Too thin? Let it simmer uncovered for 2 extra minutes. Too thick? Stir in a splash of broth – the pasta will soak it right up.

Nutritional Information

Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers may vary slightly depending on ingredients): 520 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated), 58g carbs (3g fiber, 22g sugar), 20g protein. Not too shabby for a meal that tastes this indulgent! The honey adds natural sweetness while the lean sausage keeps it protein-packed.

Did this recipe save your weeknight like it saves mine? I’d love to hear your spin on it! Leave a rating below, tag me on Instagram with your saucy masterpiece, or drop a comment sharing how you made it your own – extra veggies? Different protein? Secret ingredient? Spill the beans!