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Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta Recipe

4.5 from 276 reviews

A flavorful Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta combining tender sirloin steak cubes with a bold blend of soy sauce, honey, and sriracha. The dish features perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a rich, aromatic sauce with garlic and a hint of heat, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs for an irresistible meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Steak and Marinade

  • 1 lb sirloin steak, cubed
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons water

Pasta

  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • Salt for boiling water
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Garnish

  • Sesame seeds, toasted
  • Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped
  • Extra red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain. Toss the drained pasta with 2 tablespoons of butter to prevent sticking and add richness.
  2. Prepare the Steak: Pat the sirloin steak cubes dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. If using, sprinkle and toss with 1 teaspoon cornstarch to help thicken the sauce later.
  3. Sear the Steak: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or pan over high heat until shimmering. Add the steak cubes in a single layer and sear, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked to your desired doneness, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
  4. Make the Sauce: In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, and 2 tablespoons water. Stir thoroughly and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Combine: Add the buttered spaghetti to the pan with the sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve your desired consistency. Return the seared steak cubes to the pan and stir until everything is combined and heated through.
  6. Garnish: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh parsley or green onions over the pasta. Add extra crushed red pepper flakes if you want more heat.
  7. Serve Immediately: Plate the pasta and steak mixture while hot and enjoy your sweet, spicy, and savory garlic steak pasta!

Notes

  • For a thicker sauce, you can add the optional cornstarch during steak preparation.
  • Adjust sriracha and crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to your preference.
  • Fresh parsley or green onions provide a fresh contrast but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • Use sirloin or any tender steak cut to ensure quick cooking and tenderness.
  • Reserved pasta water helps in blending and loosening sauces for better texture.

Keywords: steak pasta, garlic steak pasta, spicy pasta, sweet and spicy pasta, sirloin steak recipe, quick dinner, Asian-inspired pasta