If you love bold flavors, melt-in-your-mouth steak, and pasta dishes that hit every craving at once, this Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta is about to become your weeknight obsession. It is the perfect blend of savory, sweet, spicy, and garlicky goodness — all coated over tender noodles and juicy steak slices.

This dish brings together Asian-inspired flavors with the comforting satisfaction of pasta. The sauce is sticky, glossy, and deeply flavorful, thanks to chili garlic paste, soy sauce, honey, butter, and caramelized garlic. The steak adds richness, the pasta adds comfort, and the entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes.

Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, satisfying a late-night craving, or looking for something totally new, this pasta strikes the perfect balance of quick, comforting, and restaurant-level delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta

1. A perfect balance of flavors

This pasta hits sweet, spicy, savory, and umami notes all at once. No one flavor overwhelms the others — it’s harmony in a bowl.

2. Uses simple, everyday ingredients

Steak, pasta, garlic, chili paste, soy sauce — nothing complicated, but the results taste like an upscale restaurant dish.

3. Ready in 30 minutes

A fast, impressive meal that works for weeknights but is special enough for a stay-in date night.

4. Customizable sweetness and heat

Make it mild, make it fiery, or make it extra sweet — you control the flavor balance.

5. Works with any cut of steak

Sirloin, flank, skirt, ribeye, strip — all work beautifully.

Ingredients

For the Steak

• 1 lb sirloin steak (or flank, skirt, or ribeye)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pasta & Sauce

• 10 oz pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili garlic paste (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or lime juice)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup pasta water
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

Optional:

• Sesame seeds
• Cilantro
• Extra chili flakes

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
3. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

2. Prepare the Steak

4. Pat steak dry and slice into thin strips against the grain.
5. Toss with soy sauce, olive oil, and black pepper.
6. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Sear steak slices in batches for 1–2 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked.
8. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce

9. Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet.
10. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
11. Stir in chili garlic paste, soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar.
12. Mix until glossy and bubbling.

4. Combine and Cook

13. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat in the sauce.
14. Add reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce becomes silky.
15. Return steak to the skillet and toss until warmed through.

5. Finish the Dish

16. Sprinkle green onions and red pepper flakes over the top.
17. Serve immediately.

Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta

A bold, flavorful pasta dish combining tender seared steak, spicy chili garlic sauce, and a touch of sweetness for the perfect weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Fusion

Calories: 540

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Steak Ingredients

• 1 lb sirloin steak thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp black pepper

Pasta & Sauce

• 10 oz pasta linguine or spaghetti
• 4 tbsp butter
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp chili garlic paste
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional
• 0.5 cup pasta water reserved
• 0.25 cup green onions sliced

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Pasta pot
• Knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions and reserve pasta water.
2. Slice steak thinly and season with soy sauce, olive oil, and pepper.
3. Sear steak slices in a hot skillet until browned; remove and set aside.
4. Melt butter in the same skillet and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
5. Add chili garlic paste, soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar, mixing until glossy.
6. Add pasta and pasta water, tossing to coat in the sauce.
7. Return steak to the skillet and toss until heated through.
8. Garnish with green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

Add extra chili garlic paste for more heat.

Tips for the Best Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta

Slice steak against the grain

This keeps it tender instead of chewy.

Don’t overcook the steak

It will cook again when added to the pasta.

Use pasta water wisely

It helps the sauce cling to the noodles and prevents dryness.

Adjust spice level easily

Add more or less chili garlic paste depending on preference.

For a thicker sauce

Add ½ teaspoon cornstarch to the sauce before adding pasta.

Variations

Creamy Version

Add 1/3 cup heavy cream for a spicy creamy garlic steak pasta.

Veggie-Loaded

Add bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, or mushrooms.

Chicken or Shrimp Swap

Use chicken breast, chicken thighs, or shrimp instead of steak.

Gluten-Free

Use gluten-free pasta and tamari in place of soy sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your garlic steak pasta with:

• Garlic bread
• Roasted vegetables
• A crisp green salad
• Steamed broccoli

Leftovers taste even better after the flavors deepen overnight.