Name: Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta - Family-Friendly Dinner Ideas
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized strips (don’t go crazy expensive here – we’re cutting it up anyway); 2 tablespoons olive oil (the good stuff makes a difference); Salt and black pepper (be generous with both); 1 teaspoon garlic powder (because we’re going ALL IN on garlic); 12 oz penne or rigatoni (something that holds sauce well – no angel hair here!); 6 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you’re like me and measure garlic with your soul); 1 large onion, sliced thin (yellow or sweet onion works best); 1 red bell pepper, sliced (adds color and sweetness); 1/4 cup honey (the star of our sweet situation); 3 tablespoons soy sauce (adds that umami depth); 2 tablespoons brown sugar (doubles down on the sweetness); 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (start with 1 if you’ve got sensitive tongues in the family); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (gives it that “what IS that amazing flavor” factor); 1/2 cup beef broth (or chicken broth, whatever you’ve got); 2 tablespoons butter (because butter makes everything better); 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, but makes it extra luxurious); Fresh parsley for garnish (makes you look like you know what you’re doing); 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (adds freshness and color); 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced (if your family doesn’t revolt at the sight of fungi); 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (for that final pop of flavor)

Description

Okay, so picture this: it’s Tuesday night, you’re staring at some steak in the fridge, and the kids are already asking “what’s for dinner?” for the third time. Enter this Sweet and Spicy Garlic Steak Pasta – my go-to weeknight hero that makes everyone think I’m way more organized than I actually am. It’s tender steak tossed with pasta in this incredible sauce that’s got just enough sweetness to keep the kids happy and enough kick to keep the grown-ups interested. Plus, it’s all done in one pan, which means less dishes and more time to collapse on the couch after dinner!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Steak:

1.5 lbs sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized strips (don’t go crazy expensive here – we’re cutting it up anyway)
2 tablespoons olive oil (the good stuff makes a difference)
Salt and black pepper (be generous with both)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (because we’re going ALL IN on garlic)

For the Pasta & Sauce:

12 oz penne or rigatoni (something that holds sauce well – no angel hair here!)
6 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you’re like me and measure garlic with your soul)
1 large onion, sliced thin (yellow or sweet onion works best)
1 red bell pepper, sliced (adds color and sweetness)
1/4 cup honey (the star of our sweet situation)
3 tablespoons soy sauce (adds that umami depth)
2 tablespoons brown sugar (doubles down on the sweetness)
1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (start with 1 if you’ve got sensitive tongues in the family)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (gives it that “what IS that amazing flavor” factor)
1/2 cup beef broth (or chicken broth, whatever you’ve got)
2 tablespoons butter (because butter makes everything better)
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, but makes it extra luxurious)
Fresh parsley for garnish (makes you look like you know what you’re doing)

Optional Add-ins:

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (adds freshness and color)
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced (if your family doesn’t revolt at the sight of fungi)
1/4 cup green onions, chopped (for that final pop of flavor)