Description
Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta is a flavorful Asian-inspired fusion dish featuring tender seared steak tossed with garlic-infused, sweet and spicy sauce, served over perfectly cooked fettuccine or linguine. This quick stovetop recipe combines savory, sweet, and spicy elements to deliver a satisfying weeknight dinner that’s easy to prepare and full of bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
Steak and Sauce
- 1 lb flank or sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce or sriracha
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnishes
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sear the steak: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the thinly sliced steak lightly with salt and pepper. In batches, sear the steak for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until just browned but not overcooked. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, until fragrant. Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce or sriracha, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Thicken the sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry gradually, cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Combine steak and pasta: Return the seared steak to the skillet, tossing to coat it evenly with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and gently toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of chili garlic sauce or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Swap fettuccine with lo mein or ramen noodles for a fun twist.
- This dish reheats well—store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat over medium heat on the stovetop.
- Try substituting steak with chicken or tofu for a variation.
