Begin by bringing a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add your choice of pasta, such as penne or rotini, and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once done, drain the pasta, reserving a splash of the cooking water for later, and set it aside while you prepare the sausage.

In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage links, casing removed, and break them up with a spatula. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sausage is well-browned and cooked through.

While the sausage is cooking, whisk together ¼ cup of honey, ¼ cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.

Once the sausage is browned, reduce the heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Pour the prepared honey-soy sauce mixture over the browned sausage and garlic in the skillet. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken slightly for about 2-3 minutes.

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss to combine. If the mixture seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water.

Before serving, taste your dish and adjust the seasoning if needed.