Honey Mustard Spaghetti Recipe

Name: Honey Mustard Spaghetti
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 3 Tablespoons whole grain dijon mustard; 2 Tablespoons honey; 12 ounces spaghetti; 6 slices bacon; 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast; 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced, dark and light green parts separated, divided; 1 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Cook Time: 25 minutes

This creamy, savory pasta dish combines crispy bacon, tender chicken, and a luscious honey mustard sauce. Perfect for a comforting meal!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
12 ounces spaghetti
6 slices bacon
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast, cubed
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced, dark and light green parts separated, divided
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, stir together Dijon mustard and honey. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, about 9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Keep the drippings in the skillet.
Add the cubed chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes (the chicken will not be fully cooked through at this stage). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to keep warm.
In the same skillet, add the light green parts of the green onions and cook for 1-2 minutes until softened.
Stir in the honey mustard mixture and heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Return the chicken to the skillet and add the kosher salt and black pepper. Stir occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the chicken to cook through until no longer pink in the center.
Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet, stirring to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
Crumble the cooked bacon over the top and sprinkle with the dark green parts of the green onions to serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition	Amount
Calories	740
Total Fat	43g (55% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat	24g (119% Daily Value)
Cholesterol	214mg (71% Daily Value)
Sodium	1022mg (44% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrate	38g (14% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber	2g (6% Daily Value)
Total Sugars	12g
Protein	49g (97% Daily Value)
Vitamin C	1mg (1% Daily Value)
Calcium	99mg (8% Daily Value)
Iron	3mg (16% Daily Value)
Potassium	575mg (12% Daily Value)

Note: Nutritional information is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your dietary needs.

History of Honey Mustard Spaghetti

Honey Mustard Spaghetti is a modern fusion dish that merges the comforting traditions of Italian pasta with the bold, sweet-tangy flavors popular in American home cooking. Its origins trace back to the rise of creative weeknight meals in the early 2000s, when home cooks began experimenting with non-traditional sauces. Honey mustard, once used mostly for glazing meats, quickly found its way into pasta dishes as an easy way to add richness and contrast.

Regional Variations

While the recipe is most popular in the United States, regional twists have emerged. In the Midwest, the dish often includes extra bacon and a thicker cream base. Coastal regions may replace chicken with shrimp or scallops, giving the pasta a lighter seafood profile. In the South, cooks tend to increase the sweetness of the sauce, using local honey for a deeper floral flavor.

How It Differs from Similar Dishes

Unlike classic creamy pastas such as Alfredo or carbonara, Honey Mustard Spaghetti relies on a balance of acidity, sweetness, and savory notes. The combination of mustard and honey creates a layered sauce that is both comforting and refreshing. Its flavor profile stands apart from other cream-based pasta dishes by offering a brighter, more vibrant finish with a mild zing that Dijon mustard naturally provides.

Where It Is Commonly Served

This dish is typically enjoyed as a family dinner, served in casual dining settings or made at home for busy weeknights. It has also gained traction in small bistros and caf-style restaurants that focus on fusion cuisine. Because it uses accessible pantry staples, its often featured in meal-prep menus and cooking classes aimed at quick gourmet meals.

Interesting Facts

One fun detail about Honey Mustard Spaghetti is its adaptabilitymany cooks swap proteins effortlessly, turning it into a shrimp, tofu, or even vegetable-focused dish. The sauce also became a viral trend on cooking forums due to its unexpectedly harmonious flavors. Another surprising fact is that whole-grain mustard not only enriches the taste but also adds texture, giving the pasta a rustic, artisanal feel.

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FAQ about Honey Mustard Spaghetti Recipe

Yes, you can use any type of pasta you prefer. Penne, fusilli, or fettuccine are good alternatives. Just ensure you adjust the cooking time according to the pasta's instructions.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or cream if needed to loosen the sauce.

You can prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time, but it’s best to combine them just before serving to maintain the texture of the pasta. If you must make it ahead, store the pasta and sauce separately and combine them when reheating.

Yes, you can use a lighter cream, such as half-and-half, or even a non-dairy milk like coconut cream or almond milk. However, using non-dairy options may change the flavor profile slightly.

Yes, you can omit the bacon or substitute it with crispy chicken skin, turkey bacon, or a vegetarian alternative like sautéed mushrooms for a similar texture and flavor.

To avoid curdling, make sure to cook the sauce over low to medium heat and stir frequently. Adding the cream slowly and not allowing the temperature to get too high will also help prevent separation.

Absolutely! You can add vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or peas to make the dish more nutritious. Just sauté or steam them before adding to the sauce.

If you don't have Dijon mustard, you can use yellow mustard or even spicy brown mustard as alternatives. Adjust the amount based on your preferred level of tanginess.

While this dish can be frozen, the pasta may become soft and the sauce may change texture when reheated. If you decide to freeze it, store the pasta and sauce separately for best results.

To add more heat to the sauce, you can incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or even a small amount of hot sauce, depending on your spice tolerance.

Comments

Grum

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

I liked making this recipe and will so again. I added fresh cut up mushrooms and butter to the chicken. I also added more honey to the mustard sauce which lessened the tartness .

Anne B.

03/02/2025 10:01:35 PM

This is an amazing recipe! We are trying to eat very low saturated fat, so I made some tweaks- 1. We used mushrooms instead of bacon. 2. I pureed non-fat cottage cheese and added it gradually at the end in place of the heavy cream. Didn't simmer it, as I didn't want it to break. I am sure this is an amazing recipe as it; for health reasons we adjusted slightly but it's still soooo good! A keeper for sure.

Cima

02/03/2025 11:58:38 PM

I made this recipe, as written. It was delicious! How can you go wrong with bacon, heavy cream and pasta in one recipe? I used chicken thighs ( so forgiving) and a bit extra bacon. Ha! So I guess I didn’t follow the recipe, exactly. :)

Tom Long

02/06/2025 10:46:39 AM

Very good. Very easy. Added about a tablespoon extra mustard for a bit more zip.

TrishDHM

02/22/2025 03:53:16 AM

Honestly, I kept this in my email for a few weeks because I wasn't too sure about it. Finally, a night came, and I needed something to make quickly, and I always wind up throwing spaghetti on, but didn't feel like traditional spaghetti. Once I realized that I had all the ingredients on hand, I decided to go ahead with it. The only thing different I did was I used shredded chicken, because that's what I had. It turned out a bit on the dry side, but I truthfully think that was because of the shredded chicken soaking all the sauce up. I still loved it and so did my family. This will definitely be put on rotation in my house and I will just make sure to double the sauce if I use shredded chicken again. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!

Ibcreative

02/06/2025 02:19:58 AM

I made this using shrimp instead of chicken. This was easy to make, and delicious.

Jim Kaspar

02/09/2025 12:32:57 AM

I will double up on the Dijon and honey and and some garlic. Easy to make, just need to punch up the flavor a bit. Will definitely make it again

TidyGyro6958

06/07/2025 06:26:19 AM

Not enough mustard! Not a good recipe for us.

Ignacio Greiffenstein

02/27/2025 11:34:10 PM

Delicious, very easy and quick to prepare. A different way to eat spaghetti. Added to my list of favorites.

steph

02/06/2025 12:29:04 AM

We loved it! And I'm thrilled that my eversofussy husband loved it, too. Thanks Nicole, for a great recipe!!

Anthony Taylor

02/05/2025 02:58:52 PM

Quick, flavorful, and satisfying.

DennisEReid

02/04/2025 10:38:07 PM

I tried not to deviate from the recipe. This was easy to make and the kids loved it. Also it was a beautiful, mouth watering dish. You could almost taste it from just seeing it. But the taste was better than seeing.

bobbyschicagobabe

02/04/2025 12:09:32 AM

My family enjoyed it, but I thought it was a bit bland, missing something.

Nicole Ramirez

02/03/2025 09:18:12 PM

This came together in minutes.

Upt68e

02/03/2025 05:04:37 PM

Cooked as instructed and it turned out excellent.

M A H

01/19/2025 03:03:56 AM

I made the recipe exactly as written. It was very tasty, creamy and oh so good. Another winner, Nicole!

Cook Time: 15 minutes