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Easy Sweet & Smoky Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta Recipe

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This Easy Sweet & Smoky Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner made with crispy kielbasa, tender pasta, and a sticky honey BBQ sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser that tastes like you tried, even when you’re tired.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound smoked kielbasa, sliced into half-inch rounds
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced kielbasa in a single layer and cook without moving for 3 to 4 minutes until deeply browned. Flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
  5. Add the cooked pasta and browned kielbasa to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.
  6. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t rush the browning of the kielbasa; let it sit undisturbed for a deep crust. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Watch the heat on the sauce to prevent burning the honey. Season in layers for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: kielbasa pasta, honey BBQ pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one-pot pasta, smoked sausage pasta

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/easy-sweet-and-smoky-honey-bbq-kielbasa-pasta-recipe/