Easy Beef Stir-fried Fusilli Pasta

By DishFrames
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A simple, savory weeknight meal featuring tender beef and spiral pasta tossed in a rich, glossy sauce. Quick to prepare and full of flavor.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

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.

Stir-fried beef fusilli coated in a dark, glossy savory sauce.
Stir-fried beef fusilli coated in a dark, glossy savory sauce.
Prep20 mins
Cook10 mins
Total30 mins
Yield1 serving
DifficultyEasy
Calories550 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Marinate the beef
    Soy sauce being poured onto fresh raw beef slices in a clear bowl.

    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.
  2. 2Add starch to the marinade
    A spoonful of starch being added to a bowl containing beef slices and soy sauce.

    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.
  3. 3Incorporate water
    Water being poured into the bowl with the beef and starch mixture.

    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.
  4. 4Seal with oil
    A light coating of oil being sprayed over the marinated beef mixture.

    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.
  5. 5Sear the beef
    Raw marinated beef pieces being transferred from a glass bowl into a hot white skillet.

    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.
  6. 6Cook the beef
    Beef slices being stir-fried in a white pan, showing browned surfaces.

    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.
  7. 7Combine beef and pasta
    Spiral pasta being transferred from a bowl into a pan with cooked beef strips.

    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.
  8. 8Add pasta sauce
    Pasta sauce being poured from a small dish over the beef and pasta in the pan.

    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.
  9. 9Add dark soy sauce
    Dark soy sauce being drizzled over the stir-fried pasta and beef.

    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.
  10. 10Final stir-fry
    The finished stir-fried beef and pasta dish being tossed in the pan with a spatula.

    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.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
2 days
Store in an airtight container.
Reheating
3 min
Reheat in a pan over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Burn It Off

Running
~55 minutes at an easy jog (~9 km/h).
Brisk Walking
~1 hour 50 minutes at a brisk pace (~5 km/h).
Leisurely Cycling
~1 hour 30 minutes at a moderate pace (~15 km/h).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, any short pasta like penne or rotini works well as they hold the sauce effectively.
Simply add a tablespoon of water or broth while stir-frying to reach your desired consistency.
Tossing the pasta with a tiny bit of oil after boiling can prevent it from clumping before it reaches the pan.
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