Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
This Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta is an easy, delicious dinner made with smoky kielbasa sausage, tender pasta, melted butter, garlic, sweet honey, and rich barbecue sauce! Everything comes together in the slow cooker for a wonderful sweet and savory pasta dish that’s packed with flavor.
If you’re looking for an easy kielbasa dinner recipe that your whole family will love, this is one you’ll want to make again and again!
The kielbasa is browned in a skillet until golden and slightly caramelized, then tossed with honey, barbecue sauce, butter, and garlic to create a rich, flavorful sauce. The hot kielbasa and all that delicious sauce are poured over cooked pasta in the crockpot, where everything gets tossed together with even more barbecue sauce and seasonings.
It’s buttery, garlicky, smoky, a little sweet, and absolutely delicious!
And the best part? Since the pasta is cooked ahead of time, you don’t have to worry about waiting for uncooked noodles to soften in the slow cooker. Everything comes together quickly, and the crockpot keeps the pasta warm until you’re ready to serve.
This is a great dinner for busy weeknights, family gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you need something easy and filling.
Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
- Easy to make: Cook the pasta, brown the kielbasa, and let the crockpot bring everything together.
- Sweet and savory flavor: Honey and barbecue sauce create a delicious glaze that complements the smoky sausage.
- Buttery garlic sauce: Melted butter and minced garlic give the pasta an extra layer of rich flavor.
- Family-friendly dinner: A hearty combination of pasta and kielbasa that’s perfect for busy evenings.
- Great for potlucks: Keep it warm in the slow cooker for easy serving.
- Simple ingredients: Everything you need is easy to find at the grocery store.
Ingredients for Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
- 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced into rounds
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 4 Tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic, divided
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, divided, plus more if needed
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, optional
How to Make Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until just al dente.
Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Garlic in the Crockpot
Turn the crockpot to the LOW setting.
Add 2 Tablespoons of butter and 1 Tablespoon of minced garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker.
Cover briefly until the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant. If the garlic is raw, allow it to cook gently until softened, or briefly sauté it before adding.
Add the cooked pasta directly on top of the melted butter and garlic.
Toss gently to coat the pasta.
Step 3: Brown the Kielbasa
While the pasta is cooking, slice the kielbasa into bite-sized rounds.
Place a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the sliced kielbasa and cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the sausage is browned on both sides.
Browning the kielbasa adds wonderful smoky flavor and gives the sausage delicious caramelized edges.
Step 4: Make the Honey BBQ Garlic Butter Sauce
Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low.
Add the remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter and 1 Tablespoon of minced garlic to the browned kielbasa.
Stir until the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant, about 30–60 seconds.
Add 3/4 cup of barbecue sauce and the honey.
Stir everything together until the kielbasa is coated in the rich, glossy honey BBQ sauce.
Let the sauce gently bubble for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
The honey and barbecue sauce will blend with the butter and garlic, creating a delicious sweet and savory glaze.
Step 5: Add the Kielbasa to the Crockpot
Carefully pour the hot kielbasa and all the sauce from the skillet directly over the cooked pasta in the crockpot.
Make sure to scrape the skillet so you get every bit of that delicious honey BBQ garlic butter sauce.
Gently stir until the pasta is coated and the kielbasa is evenly distributed.
Step 6: Add More Sauce and Seasonings
Pour the remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce over the pasta.
Sprinkle with garlic salt and black pepper.
Stir everything together until the pasta and kielbasa are coated in sauce.
If the pasta needs a little extra moisture, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding a little more barbecue sauce or honey if desired.
Step 7: Warm and Serve
Cover the crockpot and leave it on LOW for approximately 10–15 minutes, just long enough for everything to heat through and the flavors to blend.
Switch to the WARM setting for serving.
Give the pasta another gentle stir before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Jennie’s Thoughts
I absolutely love making kielbasa recipes because they’re so easy, and you can do so many different things with them!
And this Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta is one of those dinners that comes together with simple ingredients but has so much delicious flavor.
I started by cooking the pasta separately, because I wanted it to be tender without getting mushy in the crockpot.
Then I melted butter and garlic right in the bottom of the slow cooker and added the cooked pasta on top.
While that was warming, I browned the sliced kielbasa in a skillet until it had those wonderful golden edges.
And this is where it really gets good!
I added barbecue sauce and honey to the browned kielbasa, along with butter and minced garlic, and let everything blend into a rich, glossy sauce.
Then I poured the hot kielbasa and all that delicious sauce right over the pasta in the crockpot.
I added a little more barbecue sauce, garlic salt, and pepper, and stirred everything together.
The result was a delicious pasta dinner with smoky sausage, buttery garlic flavor, and just the right combination of sweet honey and tangy barbecue sauce.
I also love that you can keep everything warm in the crockpot, which makes it perfect for busy evenings or when you’re feeding a crowd.
And if you love easy kielbasa dinners as much as I do, this is definitely one to add to your dinner rotation!
Tips for the Best Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
Brown the kielbasa first. This is one of the most important steps! Browning the sausage in a skillet gives it delicious caramelized edges and adds so much flavor.
Cook the pasta separately. Since the noodles are already cooked, you don’t need to leave them in the crockpot for hours. This helps prevent mushy pasta.
Use your favorite barbecue sauce. A sweet and smoky barbecue sauce works beautifully with the honey and kielbasa. A tangier sauce will give the finished dish a little more balance.
Don’t skip the garlic butter. The melted butter and minced garlic give the pasta a wonderful rich flavor that makes this recipe extra delicious.
Add more sauce if needed. Pasta can absorb sauce as it sits, so keep a little extra barbecue sauce handy.
Use the WARM setting for serving. Once everything is heated through, switch the slow cooker to WARM rather than continuing to cook the pasta.
Delicious Variations
Cheesy Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese just before serving for a creamy, cheesy version of this delicious pasta.
Spicy Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce to the skillet for a little extra heat.
Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta with Peppers
Sauté sliced red and green bell peppers with the kielbasa before adding the sauce.
Extra Garlic Butter Kielbasa Pasta
If you love garlic, add another Tablespoon of butter and a little extra minced garlic for an even richer sauce.
Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta
Substitute fully cooked sliced chicken breast for the kielbasa for another easy dinner variation.
What to Serve with Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta
This pasta is hearty enough to serve as a complete meal, but it’s also delicious with a few simple side dishes.
Some of my favorite ideas include:
- Garlic bread
- Buttery dinner rolls
- Roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Garden salad
- Honey butter cornbread
- Roasted carrots
- Steamed vegetables
A fresh green salad or roasted vegetables are especially good with the sweet and smoky barbecue flavors.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the pasta to cool slightly, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish and heat until steaming hot, adding a splash of water or extra barbecue sauce if needed.
You can also reheat it gently in a skillet over medium-low heat.
For food safety, don’t leave the pasta sitting in a switched-off slow cooker. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Put Cooked Pasta in the Crockpot?
Yes! Cooked pasta works beautifully in the crockpot when you’re using it to combine ingredients and keep everything warm. Just avoid cooking it for several hours, because the noodles can become too soft.
Do I Need to Brown the Kielbasa First?
Browning the kielbasa isn’t always necessary when using fully cooked sausage, but I highly recommend it for this recipe. It adds delicious flavor and gives the sausage a wonderful texture.
What Kind of Pasta Works Best?
Penne, rotini, rigatoni, and bow-tie pasta are all great choices. Pasta shapes with ridges or curves are especially good for holding the honey BBQ sauce.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can cook the pasta and brown the kielbasa ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator, then combine and heat everything thoroughly when you’re ready to serve.
Can I Use Smoked Sausage Instead of Kielbasa?
Absolutely! Fully cooked smoked sausage is a delicious substitute and works well with the honey BBQ garlic butter sauce.
Can I Add Cheese?
Yes! Shredded cheddar, Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack would all be delicious. Stir the cheese in just before serving.
Can I Leave This in the Crockpot All Day?
No. Since the pasta is already cooked, this recipe is designed for a short warming period rather than all-day slow cooking. Leaving it on LOW for several hours could make the pasta mushy and cause the sauce to dry out.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta, be sure to try more easy family dinner ideas like:
- Honey Garlic Kielbasa
- Crockpot Baked Ziti
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Bacon Parmesan Spaghetti
- Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
- Cheesy Kielbasa and Rice
- BBQ Chicken Pasta
- One-Pan Kielbasa and Potatoes
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta is such an easy, delicious dinner, and it’s packed with sweet, smoky, buttery garlic flavor!
The combination of browned kielbasa, tender pasta, honey, barbecue sauce, melted butter, and garlic creates a rich, flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.
And because the pasta is cooked separately and everything comes together in the slow cooker, it’s a wonderful way to make dinner without a lot of extra work.
If you’re looking for a simple kielbasa pasta recipe that’s hearty, flavorful, and easy to make, this is definitely one to try!
Save this Crockpot Honey BBQ Kielbasa Pasta recipe for later, and enjoy a delicious, easy family dinner!
