Easy Beef Stir-fried Fusilli Pasta
A simple, savory weeknight meal featuring tender beef and spiral pasta tossed in a rich, glossy sauce. Quick to prepare and full of flavor.
Stir-frying pasta is a wonderful way to combine Italian shapes with Asian flavor profiles. This dish relies on a simple technique of velveting the beef to keep it succulent, then tossing it with fusilli in a savory sauce that caramelizes beautifully over high heat. It is an effortless approach to a hearty, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- 200 g beef, thinly sliced
- 200 g fusilli pasta, pre-boiled
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp starch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 tbsp pasta sauce or soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- to taste pepper powder
Instructions
- 1Marinate the beef

Place the sliced beef into a glass bowl and pour in the soy sauce. This initial seasoning helps to build flavor deep into the meat.
Tip: Ensure the beef is sliced against the grain for the most tender texture. - 2Add starch to the marinade

Add a spoonful of starch to the beef and soy sauce mixture. Starch helps to coat the meat, ensuring it stays juicy and tender during the high-heat stir-frying process.
Tip: Mixing the starch well is key to preventing clumps in the marinade. - 3Incorporate water

Pour a small amount of water into the bowl with the beef and starch. Mix thoroughly until the water is fully absorbed by the meat to ensure it remains succulent.
Tip: Adding water helps the meat retain moisture, which is essential for a great stir-fry. - 4Seal with oil

Spray a light layer of cooking oil over the beef mixture to seal it. Let the beef marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Tip: The oil layer acts as a barrier that prevents the moisture from escaping the beef. - 5Sear the beef

Transfer the marinated beef into a preheated white frying pan. Spread the pieces out to ensure even cooking.
Tip: Make sure the pan is sufficiently hot before adding the beef to get a good sear. - 6Cook the beef

Stir-fry the beef over medium-high heat until the surface is browned and the meat is cooked through. Avoid overcooking to maintain the tenderness.
Tip: Cook in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan, which can lead to steaming instead of searing. - 7Combine beef and pasta

Add the pre-boiled spiral pasta into the pan containing the stir-fried beef. Toss briefly over high heat to combine the ingredients.
Tip: Ensure your pasta is well-drained before adding it to the pan to avoid watering down the flavor. - 8Add pasta sauce

Pour or squeeze your choice of pasta sauce over the beef and pasta mixture. If you do not have pasta sauce, soy sauce can be used as a simple alternative.
Tip: Adding the sauce while the pan is still on high heat helps it caramelize and coat the pasta evenly. - 9Add dark soy sauce

Add a small amount of dark soy sauce to the pan. This will improve the color of the dish, giving it a rich, appetizing appearance.
Tip: A little goes a long way with dark soy sauce; add it gradually until you reach your desired color. - 10Final stir-fry

Continue to stir-fry the beef and pasta over high heat, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and evenly coated with the sauces.
Tip: Toss quickly to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan.