Sweet Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta

Category: Delicious Pasta Creations

This Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta is a flavor-packed dish featuring seared steak bites tossed in a bold, sweet and garlicky chili sauce, then mixed with buttery pasta. It’s the ultimate balance of savory, spicy, and sweet, perfect for both casual weeknights and dinner parties. Easily adjustable in heat and packed with bold umami flavor, it comes together quickly with everyday ingredients. Bonus: it reheats beautifully and makes a great next-day lunch or meal prep option.

A woman in a chef's outfit poses for a picture.
Updated on Sun, 29 Jun 2025 10:40:36 GMT
A bowl of spaghetti with meat and peppers. Pin
A bowl of spaghetti with meat and peppers. | applefoodie.com

This sweet and spicy garlic steak pasta brings bold restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen without a hint of stress. Juicy seared steak cubes tossed in a garlicky chili-laced glaze meet buttery noodles in one saucy skillet. The garlic hits deep, the spice wakes up your palate, and that sweet kick balances everything. I came up with this on a night when I wanted something indulgent but fast and let’s just say now it’s in my regular rotation.

The first time I served this at a family dinner, nobody said a word for the first ten minutes. Just forks scraping plates and satisfied sighs. That’s when I knew it was a keeper.

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until just al dente which means it still has a bit of bite. Scoop out about half a cup of pasta water before draining. Toss the hot pasta with butter so it stays loose and glossy. Set aside and keep warm.
Prepare the Steak:
Pat the steak cubes very dry with paper towels to help the crust form. Toss them in a bowl with soy sauce salt black pepper and a pinch of cornstarch if using. Let sit while your skillet heats up.
Sear the Steak:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until it shimmers. Carefully add steak pieces in a single layer without crowding the pan. Let them sear without moving for two to three minutes then flip and cook the other side. Remove and set aside.
Build the Sauce:
Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet sauté garlic until just golden and fragrant. Add soy sauce honey brown sugar sriracha vinegar sesame oil red pepper flakes and a little water. Stir and simmer until slightly thickened and sticky.
Bring It Together:
Toss the buttered pasta into the sauce using tongs to coat everything evenly. Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce seems too thick. Return the steak to the pan and stir just enough to warm through and coat every bite.
Garnish and Serve:
Plate the pasta generously. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds chopped parsley or green onions and an extra shake of red pepper flakes if you like more heat. Serve right away while it’s hot and saucy.
A plate of pasta with meat and peppers on top. Pin
A plate of pasta with meat and peppers on top. | applefoodie.com

My favorite part is how the sweet sticky glaze clings to every strand of pasta. It reminds me of a night when we had friends over unexpectedly and I whipped this up with pantry ingredients. They thought I ordered takeout.

Serving Suggestions

Pair it with a crisp arugula salad dressed in lemon juice and olive oil to cut through the richness. Roasted broccoli or grilled asparagus makes a great veggie side. Garlic bread is ideal for soaking up extra sauce left on the plate.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. They keep well for up to four days. For best texture reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or broth. If freezing place in individual portions and thaw overnight in the fridge.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make it gluten free. Maple syrup or agave can replace honey. Ribeye or flank steak can be used in place of sirloin just slice thin across the grain.

A plate of spaghetti with meat and peppers. Pin
A plate of spaghetti with meat and peppers. | applefoodie.com

Frequently Asked Questions About the Recipe

→ Can I use a different cut of steak?

Yes, ribeye, flank steak, or even New York strip work well. Just slice against the grain for tenderness.

→ How can I reduce the spiciness?

Cut back on the sriracha and red pepper flakes, or omit them entirely for a milder sauce.

→ What type of pasta works best?

Spaghetti or linguine are ideal, but fettuccine or penne can also be used depending on preference.

→ Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes. Use gluten-free pasta and tamari in place of soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative.

→ Does it reheat well?

Absolutely. Store in an airtight container and reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or broth.

→ Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes, just skip the butter or replace it with a dairy-free alternative.

→ What vegetables can I add?

Bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli are great additions to enhance the flavor and nutrition.

Sweet Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta

Juicy steak meets bold garlic-chili sauce tossed with buttery pasta for a flavor-packed meal.

Preparation Time
15 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
35 min
By: Ava

Category: Pasta Dishes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Serves (3–4 servings)

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Steak

01 1 lb sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
02 Salt and black pepper, to taste
03 1 tablespoon soy sauce
04 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional

→ Sauce

06 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 3 tablespoons soy sauce
08 2 tablespoons honey
09 1 tablespoon brown sugar
10 2 tablespoons sriracha
11 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 1 teaspoon sesame oil
13 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
14 2 tablespoons water

→ Pasta

15 8 oz spaghetti
16 Salt for boiling water
17 2 tablespoons butter

→ Garnishes

18 Sesame seeds, toasted
19 Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped
20 Extra red pepper flakes, optional

Steps

Step 01

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain and toss pasta with butter.

Step 02

Pat steak cubes dry. Toss with salt, pepper, soy sauce, and optional cornstarch. Let rest briefly.

Step 03

Heat olive oil in a hot skillet. Sear steak cubes in a single layer, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Step 04

Reduce skillet heat to medium. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, sriracha, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and water. Simmer until slightly thickened.

Step 05

Add pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat. Loosen with pasta water if needed. Add steak back and stir gently.

Step 06

Plate pasta. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped parsley or green onions, and extra pepper flakes if desired.

Notes & Tips

  1. Sirloin steak offers a tender bite and sears well for flavorful crust.
  2. Using both honey and brown sugar provides layered sweetness.
  3. Pasta water is ideal for loosening thick sauce while keeping flavor.
  4. Let steak rest after cooking to retain juices and tenderness.
  5. Cook steak in batches to avoid steaming instead of searing.

Necessary Equipment

  • Large skillet or cast-iron pan
  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Tongs
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Mixing bowls
  • Colander
  • Microplane or garlic press

Allergy Information

Always double-check ingredient labels for allergens and consult a healthcare professional if you’re unsure.
  • Contains gluten from pasta and soy from soy sauce.
  • Contains dairy from butter (optional for dairy-free version).

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice.
  • Calories: 620
  • Fats: 22 g
  • Carbohydrates: 65 g
  • Proteins: 32 g