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Quick Sweet Spicy Pasta with Steak – Weeknight Recipes Inspo

A bold, flavorful pasta dish combining tender seared steak, al dente spaghetti, and a glossy sweet–spicy garlic sauce for a restaurant-quality meal in under 40 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb sirloin steak cubed
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp cornstarch optional
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • Salt for boiling water
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Sesame seeds
  • Fresh parsley or green onions chopped
  • Extra red pepper flakes optional

Method
 

  1. Bring salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente, 8–10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and toss with butter.
  2. Season cubed steak with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp soy sauce; add cornstarch if using and let marinate 5–10 minutes.
  3. Heat olive oil over high heat and sear steak 2–3 minutes per side until browned; remove and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, sauté minced garlic 1 minute, then add soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, sriracha, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and water. Simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened.
  5. Add cooked pasta to the sauce, adding pasta water as needed for creaminess. Return steak to the pan and toss to coat.
  6. Garnish with sesame seeds, parsley or green onions, and optional extra red pepper flakes. Serve hot.

Notes

Pat steak dry before searing for best crust; use reserved pasta water to keep sauce silky; adjust sriracha and red pepper flakes for preferred spice level.