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Close up shot of creamy rigatoni pasta covered in a rich Parmesan sauce and sprinkled with fresh black pepper.

Cajun Steak Pasta with Creamy Parmesan Rigatoni

This Cajun Steak Pasta pairs perfectly seared, spicy steak bites with a rich, velvety Parmesan rigatoni. Ready in 35 minutes, this recipe brings visually stunning, restaurant-quality comfort food directly to your dinner table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun-Inspired
Calories: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb sirloin steak Cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning For coating the steak
  • 1 tbsp olive oil For searing the steak
  • 8 oz dried rigatoni pasta Cooked al dente
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter For the sauce base
  • 3 cloves garlic Minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream Creates a rich, stable sauce
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated from a block
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper Freshly cracked, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Cast Iron Skillet Essential for getting a dark, caramelized crust on the steak bites.
  • 1 Large Pot For boiling the rigatoni pasta.

Method
 

Step-by-Step Directions
  1. Pat the cubed sirloin steak dry with paper towels. Toss the dried steak thoroughly with the Cajun seasoning until completely coated.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  3. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil. Add the seasoned steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes undisturbed. Flip and sear for 1-2 more minutes until a dark crust forms. Remove to a plate.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. Melt the butter in the same skillet, scraping up the browned bits. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream until simmering.
  5. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Toss the cooked rigatoni in the cream sauce. Plate the pasta on one half of the dish and the steak bites on the other. Garnish the pasta with black pepper.

Notes

Tip 1: Make sure to thoroughly dry the steak before seasoning to ensure a perfect, glistening sear.
Tip 2: Always freshly grate your Parmesan cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese contains starches that will make your cream sauce gritty.