Description
Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta is a one-pan weeknight dinner that combines tender steak, garlic, pasta, and a sweet-savory sauce with a touch of heat. Bold flavors, quick cooking, and minimal cleanup make this Asian-inspired pasta dish a family favorite that feels gourmet without the fuss.
Ingredients
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225 g (8 oz) fettuccine or spaghetti pasta
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450 g (1 lb) flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
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30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil, divided
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
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60 ml (¼ cup) soy sauce
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30 ml (2 tbsp) honey
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15 ml (1 tbsp) rice vinegar
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1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
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4 green onions, chopped
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Cook pasta: In salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente (8–10 minutes). Drain, reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
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Season steak: Sprinkle sliced steak with salt and pepper.
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Cook veggies: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Sauté bell pepper for 3–4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
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Sear steak: Add remaining oil to the skillet. Cook steak slices 4–5 minutes until browned but tender. Remove from the skillet.
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Make sauce: Lower the heat, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds. Stir in soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
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Combine: Return steak and bell peppers to the skillet. Toss with sauce, then add pasta and reserved water until glossy and coated.
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Serve: Top with green onions and cilantro. Serve hot.
Notes
Slice the steak thinly against the grain for tenderness.
Adjust spice level by reducing or swapping red pepper flakes with smoked paprika.
Pasta water helps bind and thicken the sauce—don’t skip it.
Swap bell pepper with broccoli, snap peas, or zucchini for variation.
Tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American