If you love bold flavor, juicy steak, and noodles coated in a sticky-sweet, garlicky, spicy sauce, this Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta is about to be your new favorite dinner. It’s fast, unbelievably satisfying, and tastes like a fusion between your best takeout cravings and a cozy homemade pasta dish. The steak gets perfectly seared, the sauce turns glossy and addictive, and the noodles soak up every drop of flavor.

This recipe brings together the best of both worlds:
✔ Comforting pasta
✔ Savory steak
✔ Sweet–spicy Asian-inspired sauce
✔ Big garlic flavor

It’s the perfect weeknight recipe—quick, simple, and incredibly rewarding. And if you’re a fan of sweet heat, sticky sauces, or restaurant-style steak dishes, this one hits every single note.

Why This Sweet & Spicy Steak Pasta Is SO Good

Every component of this dish adds something special. Here’s what makes it stand out:

✔ The steak caramelizes beautifully

Thanks to a hot pan and a slightly sweet sauce, the steak gets crisp edges and ultra-juicy bites.

✔ The sauce is balanced and addictive

A mix of soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar or honey, chili flakes, and sriracha creates a perfect sweet–spicy blend.

✔ The pasta absorbs flavor

Noodles carry the sauce, making every bite taste rich and satisfying.

✔ Ready in 30 minutes

Minimal chopping, simple ingredients, and fast cooking.

✔ Restaurant-style but homemade

You get takeout-level flavor without takeout prices.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make this sweet, spicy, saucy pasta.

For the Steak

• 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (for seasoning the steak)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta

• 12 oz spaghetti, linguine, or udon noodles

For the Sweet & Spicy Garlic Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp brown sugar or honey
• 2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup reserved pasta water
• Optional: 1 tbsp hoisin or sweet chili sauce for extra sweetness

For Serving

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Extra chili flakes
• Lime wedges (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

Boil pasta according to package directions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain.

2. Season the steak

Toss sliced steak with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

3. Sear the steak

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak in a single layer and cook until browned and caramelized—about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside.

4. Make the sauce

In the same pan, melt butter and add garlic. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), sriracha, red pepper flakes, and rice vinegar. Stir until glossy.

5. Add pasta

Add cooked pasta to the sauce along with a splash of pasta water. Toss until noodles are fully coated.

6. Return steak to the pan

Add seared steak back to the skillet and toss into the noodles.

7. Finish and serve

Top with green onions, sesame seeds, lime, or extra chili flakes.

Serve hot and enjoy your sweet–spicy, garlicky masterpiece.

Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta

A bold, flavorful pasta dish with juicy seared steak and a glossy sweet-and-spicy garlic sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Dinner, Pasta

Cuisine: American, Fusion

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Steak

• 1 lb flank steak or sirloin thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce for seasoning steak
• salt and pepper to taste

Pasta

• 12 oz pasta spaghetti or linguine

Sweet & Spicy Garlic Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp brown sugar or honey
• 2 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.25 cup pasta water reserved

Toppings

• green onions sliced
• sesame seeds

Equipment

• Skillet
• Pasta pot
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

1. Cook the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
2. Season sliced steak with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear steak until browned; remove and set aside.
4. Melt butter in the skillet, add garlic, and cook until fragrant.
5. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, sriracha, red pepper flakes, and rice vinegar; stir to make sauce.
6. Add cooked pasta and pasta water; toss to coat.
7. Return steak to pan and toss with noodles.
8. Serve with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Add vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers for extra flavor.

Tips for the Best Steak Pasta

⭐ Slice steak thinly

Thin slices mean faster cooking and better searing.

⭐ Use high heat

The steak needs a hot pan to caramelize instead of steaming.

⭐ Adjust heat level

Add more sriracha or chili flakes if you like it spicier.

⭐ Use the pasta water

It helps the sauce cling to the noodles.

⭐ Don’t overcook the steak

Pull it off once it’s browned; it will finish cooking in the sauce.

Variations

• Creamier Version

Add ¼ cup cream or coconut milk to the sauce.

• Veggie Add-In Version

Include broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, or mushrooms.

• Extra Sweet Version

Increase honey or add sweet chili sauce.

• Rice Noodle Version

Swap pasta for flat rice noodles for a more Asian-style dish.

Serving Suggestions

• Garlic bread
• Steamed broccoli
• Wok-fried vegetables
• Crisp cucumber salad

Storage

Fridge:

Keeps 3–4 days in airtight containers.

Reheat:

Add a splash of water and warm on stove or microwave.

This dish reheats beautifully and stays saucy.

Short Summary

A sweet, spicy, garlicky steak pasta with perfectly seared beef and glossy noodles—fast, flavorful, and restaurant-quality.