Description
This Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini recipe is a quick and comforting meal that combines tender, juicy steak with a flavorful, sweet-savory honey garlic sauce tossed together with perfectly cooked rotini pasta. It’s a delightful balance of rich meatiness, bright garlic, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes, finished with fresh parsley for a burst of freshness. Ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb Steak (can be substituted with chicken, shrimp, or tofu)
Pasta
- 8 oz Rotini pasta
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 4 cloves Fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Honey (or maple syrup/agave nectar)
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if needed)
- 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
Garnish
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sear the Steak: Season the steak generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until it reaches your desired doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- Prepare the Sauce: Using the same skillet with the steak drippings, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Return the cooked rotini to the skillet. Toss the pasta thoroughly in the sticky honey garlic sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick, until the sauce evenly coats the pasta.
- Combine Steak and Pasta: Add the sliced steak to the skillet and toss everything together for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the sticky honey garlic steak and rotini. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Optionally drizzle extra honey or sprinkle additional red pepper flakes for more sweetness or heat, according to your preference.
Notes
- Resting the steak after cooking ensures it remains juicy when sliced.
- You can substitute steak with chicken, shrimp, or tofu to suit your dietary preferences.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level or omit entirely for a milder dish.
- Using reserved pasta water helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- For a gluten-free option, choose gluten-free pasta and soy sauce or tamari.
