If you crave the ultimate comfort food mashup, the Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe is about to sweep your taste buds off their feet! Imagine juicy, seared steak bathed in a sweet and garlicky sauce, tangled with bouncy rotini pasta and finished with a sprinkle of crunchy sesame seeds and vibrant green onions. This dish brings a whirlwind of flavors with every bite—savory, sticky, and just a tingling touch of spice. It’s lightning fast for weeknights and special enough for guests. Get ready to make this a regular star in your dinner rotation!

Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather these simple, everyday ingredients, and you’re halfway to a showstopping meal! Each one makes its presence known, building layers of flavor and bringing color or irresistible texture to your Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe.
- Rotini Pasta: Rotini’s spiral shape soaks up every drop of that luscious sauce, turning each bite into a flavor bomb.
- Sirloin or Flank Steak: Thin slices of steak cook up ultra-tender and juicy, making this dish both quick and satisfying.
- Cornstarch: Coating the beef in cornstarch gives it irresistible crispness and helps the sauce cling beautifully.
- Vegetable Oil: Neutral and high-heat tolerant, it’s perfect for getting a golden sear on the steak.
- Soy Sauce: Deep umami saltiness sets the backbone for the sticky sauce.
- Honey: Adds gloss, stickiness, and that signature sweetness you want in every sticky steak bite.
- Brown Sugar: Brings a touch of molasses-y richness for depth and extra caramelization.
- Garlic: Four cloves for a big, bold punch of aromatic flavor that lingers just right.
- Rice Vinegar: A splash of acidity keeps the sauce bright and balanced.
- Sesame Oil: Just a teaspoon for smoky, nutty aroma and a finishing touch of authentic flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Add as much or as little heat as you crave.
- Green Onions: Sprinkle on top for freshness and color.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Give the final plate a nutty crunch and appealing finish.
How to Make Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Rotini
Begin by bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your rotini until al dente, following the package’s timing. This gives the pasta just the right bite, ready to absorb every morsel of sticky sauce later. Drain and set aside; prepping the pasta now keeps everything moving smoothly.
Step 2: Prep and Coat the Steak
While your pasta bubbles away, pat the steak slices dry with paper towels. This is your secret weapon for great browning! Toss the steak with cornstarch until each piece is coated—this step creates a light crust, perfect for holding onto all that sweet-savory sauce later on.
Step 3: Sear the Steak
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the steak in small batches (don’t overcrowd!) and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until beautifully browned and just cooked through. The sizzle and aroma are irresistible! Transfer cooked steak to a plate and repeat until all pieces are done.
Step 4: Make the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce
In the same skillet, combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the mixture gently bubble and thicken for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch it transform into a syrupy glaze that’s positively lip-smacking.
Step 5: Combine Steak and Sauce
Return the seared steak and any collected juices to the skillet, tossing everything to coat the beef in glossy, fragrant sauce. This moment is magical—the steak soaks up all the stickiness, becoming as flavorful as it looks.
Step 6: Toss with Rotini
Add your cooked rotini to the skillet. Stir well to make sure every single spiral is coated in sauce and shimmering. Heat everything together for a minute or two until the pasta is warmed through and the flavors are harmonized.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, shower with sliced green onions and a scattering of toasted sesame seeds. These final touches make the Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe look as dazzling as it tastes!
How to Serve Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe

Garnishes
The best part of serving this meal is dressing it up! Finish your Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe with green onions for a burst of freshness and toasted sesame seeds for nutty crunch. For extra brightness, a squeeze of lime or a few fresh cilantro leaves also work wonders.
Side Dishes
Since this dish is rich, a simple side can go a long way. Steamed broccoli, snap peas, or even a crisp cucumber salad help balance the sweet-savory flavors and add color to your plate. For something extra cozy, pair it with fluffy white rice or a fresh green salad.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling playful, serve the Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe in big family-style bowls for sharing, or spoon it into individual ramekins for dinner parties. For an elevated twist, scatter microgreens or crispy shallots right before serving—your guests will be wowed!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any remaining Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors meld even more overnight, making the leftovers taste just as delicious.
Freezing
To freeze, let the dish cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It will keep well for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Gently reheat your Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe on the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if necessary to loosen the sauce. You can also use the microwave—just cover loosely and heat in short bursts, stirring in between for even warming.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of steak?
Absolutely! While sirloin and flank steak are ideal for their tenderness, skirt steak or even thinly sliced ribeye would work as well. Just remember to slice against the grain for the best texture.
Is there a gluten-free way to make this?
You sure can. Swap in gluten-free rotini and use tamari instead of soy sauce. Double-check that your other ingredient brands are gluten free, and you’ll have a tasty, safe version in no time.
How spicy does this recipe get with the red pepper flakes?
With half a teaspoon, the heat is gentle and mostly in the background. If you love a fiery kick, feel free to add a bit more red pepper flakes or drizzle with sriracha. If cooking for little ones, you can skip the spicy elements entirely.
Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Absolutely! Stir-fry in some broccoli florets, snap peas, or bell peppers after searing the steak and before making the sauce. It’s an easy way to boost nutrition and color with no extra fuss.
What’s the best way to slice the steak?
Use a sharp knife and slice the steak thinly, across the grain. This ensures each bite is tender—especially important for flank or skirt steak, which can be chewy if cut the wrong way.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a meal that’s impossible to resist, give the Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe a spot in your kitchen line-up. The combo of sweet, garlicky sauce and savory steak wrapped around perfect pasta is pure happiness in a bowl. I hope you’ll love making (and eating!) this as much as I do, and share it with your favorite people around the table!
Print
Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini dish that combines tender slices of steak coated in a sweet and savory sauce, tossed with al dente rotini pasta for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
Steak:
- 1 1/2 pounds sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sauce:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook Rotini: Prepare rotini pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Coat Steak: Pat dry steak slices and coat with cornstarch evenly.
- Sear Steak: In a skillet, sear steak slices in batches until browned and cooked through.
- Make Sauce: Combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in the skillet. Simmer until thickened.
- Combine: Return steak to the skillet, add cooked rotini pasta, and toss until coated and heated through.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Enhance with stir-fried vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers.
- Adjust spice level with more red pepper flakes or sriracha.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 72 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg