Description
A bold and comforting one-skillet pasta dinner featuring smoky sausage, sweet honey barbecue sauce, tender penne, and melted cheese for a flavor-packed meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
12 ounces beef or chicken sausage, sliced
12 ounces penne pasta (about 3 cups dry)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook 4–5 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Stir in barbecue sauce, honey, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Add uncooked penne pasta. Cover and cook 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
Return sausage to the skillet and stir to combine.
Add cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted and creamy.
Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For extra spice, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of warm broth.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes