Description
Juicy, tender steak tips coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, paired with creamy, cheesy rigatoni pasta. This delicious 30-minute recipe combines two culinary favorites into one extraordinary meal that’s impressive enough for special occasions yet simple enough for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound steak tips (sirloin tips work best), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water for the sauce. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, season the steak tips with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned steak tips to the hot skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary).
- Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your desired doneness.
- Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning.
- Stir and bring to a gentle simmer, then add the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the cheese sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Return the steak tips to the skillet, drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of butter, and gently toss everything together.
- Let the dish simmer for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Choose the right steak: For the most tender results, use sirloin steak tips, ribeye, or tenderloin. These cuts stay juicy and tender when quickly cooked at high heat.
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook the rigatoni just until al dente as it will continue cooking slightly when added to the hot sauce.
- Room temperature steak: Let your steak sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking for more even cooking results.
- Save that pasta water: The starchy pasta water is perfect for adjusting the consistency of your cheese sauce without diluting the flavor.
- Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting. For the creamiest sauce, grate your cheese fresh.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 750 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: garlic butter steak tips, cheesy rigatoni, steak pasta recipe, easy dinner recipe, 30-minute meal, garlic butter sauce, one-pan dinner, weeknight dinner