Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta is the ultimate easy dinner that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to get that perfect creamy, tangy sauce every time. The cozy, comforting flavors will make your whole family beg for seconds. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and Banana Bread Brownies.
Why This Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- It's ready in just 30 minutes
- The creamy, tangy sauce is irresistible
- It's a one-pot meal for easy cleanup
- It's a family favorite that's better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
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 pasta
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
- Paprika
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Crushed red pepper
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Italian sausage: You can use mild or spicy, or a mix of both.
- Pasta: Any shape will work. I like to use penne or rotini.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks pasta and sausage perfectly in one pot. → See on Amazon
- High-quality BBQ sauce — Makes a big difference in the flavor of the dish. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Brown the sausage in the Instant Pot on sauté mode until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened. Add the diced tomatoes, BBQ sauce, honey, heavy cream, and seasonings. Stir well.
- Step 3: Add the pasta and cooked sausage back to the pot. Stir well to combine. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Step 4: Quick release the pressure and stir the pasta to combine. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the sauce after the pressure is released.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add some diced jalapeños to the pot with the onions.
- Pro tip: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, use chicken broth instead of heavy cream.
Storing & Reheating Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Up to 5 days Make-ahead tip: Yes, prepare all ingredients ahead of time and assemble just before cooking.
Freezing Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Not recommended
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: 350°F for 10-15 minutes Microwave: 2-3 minutes
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare all the ingredients ahead of time and assemble just before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little water or chicken broth to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality pasta — Cooks evenly and holds its shape well in the Instant Pot. → Check price on Amazon
Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
- Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown the sausage in the Instant Pot on sauté mode until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened. Add the diced tomatoes, BBQ sauce, honey, heavy cream, and seasonings. Stir well.
- Step 3: Add the pasta and cooked sausage back to the pot. Stir well to combine. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Step 4: Quick release the pressure and stir the pasta to combine. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare all the ingredients ahead of time and assemble just before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little water or chicken broth to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Up to 5 days
- Freezer: Not recommended
- Oven reheat: 350°F for 10-15 minutes
- Microwave reheat: 2-3 minutes
- Make ahead: Yes, prepare all ingredients ahead of time and assemble just before cooking.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can prepare all the ingredients ahead of time and assemble just before cooking. However, the pasta will continue to absorb liquid and may become too soft if left to sit for too long.
The sauce may have thickened too much if the pasta was cooked for too long or if the heat was too high. To fix, add a little water or chicken broth to thin it out.
Yes, any shape will work. I like to use penne or rotini, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
Yes, you can make this in the oven by combining all the ingredients in a baking dish and baking at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
Yes, if you use gluten-free pasta.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout 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!
