Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredible Garlic Butter Steak and Cheesy Rigatoni. This recipe combines perfectly seared, tender steak bites with a rich, creamy, and cheesy garlic butter sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that comes together in under 45 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy evenings when you crave something truly satisfying. This dish is pure comfort in a bowl, guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds.
We developed this recipe to solve the common dilemma of wanting a decadent, flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The magic is in the garlic butter sauce, which coats every piece of steak and pasta in luxurious flavor. Whether you’re cooking for family or hosting a casual dinner with friends, this Garlic Butter Steak and Cheesy Rigatoni is a showstopper that tastes like it was professionally made.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Steak and Cheesy Rigatoni
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this entire meal is ready in about 40 minutes, ideal for a weeknight dinner.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor: The combination of savory steak, rich garlic butter, and creamy parmesan cheese sauce creates a dish that rivals your favorite Italian restaurant.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to create this impressive meal.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s elegant enough for a date night but simple enough for a casual family dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a few high-quality ingredients to deliver its amazing flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Steak: Sirloin or ribeye steak works best for its tenderness and flavor. Cut it into bite-sized pieces for easy cooking and eating.
- Rigatoni Pasta: The large tubes are perfect for catching the delicious cheesy sauce.
- Butter & Olive Oil: Using both gives a high smoke point for searing the steak and the rich flavor of butter.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for the best flavor.
- Heavy Cream & Parmesan Cheese: These create the incredibly rich and creamy sauce that brings the dish together.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes are all you need to season this dish to perfection.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a touch of freshness and color to the finished dish.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak and Cheesy Rigatoni
Follow these simple steps to create a meal that will have everyone raving. We break it down so you can cook the elements simultaneously and get dinner on the table faster.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. This water is liquid gold and will help thicken our sauce later. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare and Cook the Steak
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the steak. Pat the steak pieces dry with a paper towel and season generously with salt and pepper. A dry surface is key to getting a perfect sear. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the steak bites in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 3: Make the Cheesy Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Add the cooked rigatoni and the seared steak bites back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and steak are fully coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for the Perfect Steak and Pasta
- Don’t Overcook the Steak: Sear the steak bites quickly over high heat to keep them tender and juicy. They will cook a little more when you add them back to the sauce.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. Grating your own ensures a smoother sauce. For a similar recipe that perfects the cheese sauce, check out our Taco Spaghetti.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Don’t forget this step! The starchy water helps bind the sauce to the pasta and gives you more control over the sauce’s consistency.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes would be a delicious addition. Add them to the skillet after cooking the steak.
- Change the Protein: This recipe would also be fantastic with chicken or shrimp. Adjust cooking times accordingly. Our Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus offers great tips for cooking shrimp.
- Spice it Up: If you like more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
What to Serve With Your Steak and Rigatoni
This dish is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side. A fresh green salad, like our Summer Kale Salad, or some steamed asparagus would be perfect. You could also serve it with some crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the delicious sauce.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dish is best served fresh for the best texture. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
Absolutely! While rigatoni is great for catching the sauce, other robust pasta shapes like penne, ziti, or fusilli would also work wonderfully in this recipe.
The key is to cook it quickly over medium-high heat and not to overcrowd the pan. Sear the steak bites for just 2-3 minutes per side. They will finish cooking when you add them back to the warm sauce, ensuring they stay tender and juicy.
Making this fully dairy-free would be challenging as dairy is central to the sauce. You could try substituting the butter with a dairy-free alternative, the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream, and using a dairy-free parmesan, but the flavor and texture will be significantly different.
We recommend using a tender cut like sirloin, ribeye, or New York strip steak. These cuts are flavorful and remain tender when seared quickly and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Garlic Butter Steak and Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe
Garlic Butter Steak and Cheesy Rigatoni: The Ultimate Comfort Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
- Pat the steak pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove steak from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it begins to thicken. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta and seared steak back to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.
Tip 3: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the steak; cook in batches if necessary to ensure each piece gets a beautiful brown crust.
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