A quick and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender slices of steak, creamy cheese, and sweet-smoky BBQ sauce with pasta. This comforting recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy weekend meals.
There’s something deeply satisfying about a hearty, saucy, and cheesy pasta dish—especially when it’s made in just one pot. This recipe brings together smoky steak, sweet honey barbecue, and comforting cheddar cheese over a bed of pasta, all simmered to perfection in one skillet. It’s bold, it’s cozy, and it’s loaded with personality.
Ingredients
1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups pasta (elbow macaroni or other short pasta)
1 ½ cups beef broth
½ cup honey BBQ sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced steak and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove the steak from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Let the spices bloom in the leftover oil for about 30 seconds to release their flavor.
- Pour in the pasta, beef broth, and honey BBQ sauce. Stir well to combine everything, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.
- Once the pasta is tender, stir in the cooked steak and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently until the cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy this smoky, cheesy, savory dish straight from the pot.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: ~500 kcal per serving
Servings: 4 servings
Why One-Pot Dishes Work So Well
One-pot meals simplify your kitchen workflow. You cook, stir, and serve all from the same skillet or pot, meaning less time cleaning and more time enjoying your meal. But the real beauty lies in the flavor layering. The fond that develops while searing the meat enhances the taste of the sauce, making each component of the dish work harmoniously.
This particular recipe is a shining example. The steak gets a good sear, leaving behind flavor-rich brown bits. These bits dissolve into the beef broth and BBQ sauce, amplifying the smokiness and depth of the entire dish.
Choosing the Right Cut of Steak
Flank steak and sirloin are great options because they’re lean, flavorful, and cook quickly. Flank steak is a bit more fibrous, so slicing it thinly against the grain is crucial. Sirloin, on the other hand, is slightly more tender but still holds its texture well in a saucy dish.
If you prefer an even richer steak experience, ribeye could be used, but it’s more fatty and could make the sauce greasy. For a more budget-friendly alternative, skirt steak also works if sliced properly and not overcooked.
Selecting the Perfect Pasta
Elbow macaroni is a classic choice for one-pot meals because it cooks quickly and absorbs flavors well. However, other short pastas like rotini, penne, or fusilli can be used. Avoid long noodles like spaghetti or fettuccine in this dish—they won’t cook evenly or absorb the sauce as effectively in a single-pot method.
Cooking pasta directly in the broth and sauce not only saves time but infuses it with flavor. There’s no draining required, and no flavor gets poured down the sink.
Building the Sauce
The base of the sauce is a mix of beef broth and honey BBQ sauce. Together, they create a balanced profile of umami, sweetness, smokiness, and tang. The beef broth adds savory depth while the BBQ sauce brings in that honey-sweetened, molasses-rich body. Simmering them with the pasta concentrates their flavor and reduces the sauce to a velvety coating.
Cheddar cheese melts into the warm sauce, creating an irresistible creamy texture. If you like your pasta extra cheesy, add more shredded cheese on top and place the skillet under a broiler for a few minutes until bubbly and browned.
Flavor Adjustments and Add-Ins
The beauty of this dish is its flexibility. You can easily tailor the flavor profile based on your preferences or what’s in your kitchen.
- Spicy Twist: Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Veggie Boost: Stir in frozen peas, sautéed mushrooms, or baby spinach in the final minutes of cooking.
- Smoky Upgrade: Swap cheddar for smoked gouda or pepper jack for deeper complexity.
- Tangy Finish: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a spoonful of Dijon mustard to sharpen the BBQ tang.
Serving Suggestions
This one-pot steak pasta is satisfying enough to serve on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with simple sides.
- A crisp green salad with vinaigrette adds freshness.
- Garlic bread or cheesy toast makes a great complement to the saucy pasta.
- Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or zucchini round out the meal nicely.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of beef broth or milk to a pan and warm over low heat, stirring gently. You can also reheat in the microwave, but do so in short intervals and stir often to maintain the creamy texture.
This dish also freezes fairly well, though the texture of the pasta may change slightly. Allow the dish to cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and store for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make-Ahead Tip
If you’re prepping for guests or planning your week, cook the steak ahead of time and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to make the dish, start from the spices step and follow as usual. The steak will reheat beautifully when stirred back in.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
One-pot recipes are popular for a reason, but this one is special. It brings together hearty steak, punchy spices, sweet and smoky BBQ flavor, and creamy cheese into a meal that feels indulgent yet straightforward. It’s a dish that works as well for a hungry family dinner as it does for meal prepping your lunchbox.
It’s balanced. It’s satisfying. And it all happens in one pan. That’s what makes One-Pot Smoky Honey BBQ Steak Pasta a weeknight hero.
Cooking With Kids or Family
This recipe is great for families. Kids love the cheesy BBQ flavor, and the straightforward steps make it fun to cook together. Older children can help stir the pasta, sprinkle cheese, or chop parsley for garnish. Cooking with family not only creates good food but even better memories.
Recipe Variations by Region
Depending on where you’re from or what kind of BBQ sauce you have available, this dish can take on regional twists:
- Kansas City-style: Thick and sweet with molasses notes.
- Texas-style: Spicy and bold with pepper and smoke.
- Carolina-style: More vinegar-forward with tangy brightness.
- Alabama-style: Try a white BBQ sauce for a creamy, tangy variation.
Final Notes
This dish brings together convenience, flavor, and soul-satisfying comfort in a way few meals can. Whether you’re cooking for one, a couple, or a whole household, it delivers on flavor and ease every time. Plus, cleanup is a breeze.
If you enjoyed this recipe, feel free to adapt it to your taste and share your own twists with friends or family. Meals like this are made for gathering around the table and sharing something truly delicious.