Rich, hearty, and impossibly indulgent, Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce is the kind of dinner that instantly turns any ordinary evening into something extraordinary. Imagine juicy, garlic-butter seared steak bites nestled beside rigatoni smothered in a creamy medley of cheeses—each bite delivering comfort and bold flavor.

Whether you’re cooking for a special date night or treating yourself to a weekend feast, this dish is everything you love about steakhouse dining and Italian pasta rolled into one. It’s buttery, cheesy, and impossibly satisfying—exactly what comfort food dreams are made of.

What Kind of Steak Should I Use?

The best choice here is a well-marbled cut like sirloin, ribeye, or New York strip. These cuts have enough fat to stay juicy when pan-seared, and they develop a gorgeous crust when seared in garlic butter. Make sure the steak is cut into even cubes for consistent cooking.

Ingredients for the Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce

Steak Cubes
A high-quality cut of steak, such as sirloin or ribeye, is essential for that juicy, buttery flavor.

Garlic Butter
Combining fresh garlic and salted butter creates that irresistible sear and flavor that coats each steak bite.

Rigatoni Pasta
Its ridged, tubular shape is perfect for catching every drop of the creamy cheese sauce.

Heavy Cream
This is the base of the sauce, creating the luscious, velvety texture.

Four Cheese Blend
A combination of mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, and asiago melts into a dreamy sauce.

Fresh Parsley
For brightness and color, parsley cuts through the richness with a hint of herbal freshness.

Salt and Black Pepper
Simple but essential—season generously to bring out all the flavors.

Olive Oil
Used to initially sear the steak, giving it that golden-brown crust before finishing with butter.

How To Make the Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Boil the Rigatoni

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Step 2: Sear the Steak Cubes

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add steak cubes in a single layer. Sear until browned on all sides (about 2–3 minutes per side). Avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic. Stir until fragrant and the garlic is golden but not burned, about 1 minute.

Step 4: Return Steak and Coat in Butter

Return the seared steak cubes to the skillet and toss them in the garlic butter until well coated. Let them soak up the flavor for 1–2 minutes, then transfer to a warm plate.

Step 5: Make the Four-Cheese Sauce

In a separate saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat. Once it begins to bubble, reduce heat to low and add mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, and asiago. Stir continuously until melted and smooth. Add a splash of reserved pasta water for thinning, if needed.

Step 6: Combine with Rigatoni

Add cooked rigatoni to the cheese sauce and toss to coat. Stir in chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Plate and Serve

Plate the cheesy rigatoni alongside the garlic butter steak bites. Garnish with extra parsley and a sprinkle of parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while everything is hot and melty.

Best Ways to Serve and Store This Dish

Serve this dish fresh and hot for the best experience—the sauce is at its creamiest when just made, and the steak bites are juiciest straight from the pan. Pair with a light salad or roasted green beans and a crisp glass of wine.

To store leftovers, keep the steak and pasta separate if possible to maintain texture. Use airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of cream or milk to the pasta before microwaving, and warm steak bites gently in a skillet to avoid drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes! Penne, ziti, or even shells work well. Just choose a shape that holds sauce nicely.

What if I don’t have all four cheeses?

No problem—use what you have. A mix of at least two cheeses (like mozzarella and parmesan) will still give great flavor.

Can this be made ahead of time?

You can prep the cheese sauce and sear the steak in advance. Reheat both separately and combine just before serving for the best results.

Is there a way to make it less rich?

Yes, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the cheese amount slightly. Add more parsley or lemon zest for freshness.

Can I grill the steak instead?

Absolutely. Grilled steak adds a nice smoky flavor. Just be sure to still toss it in garlic butter before serving.

How spicy is this dish?

It isn’t spicy at all, but you can add crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce if you want some kick.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you love this Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni, don’t miss these other indulgent pasta creations from Life with Nina:

Try the cozy and rich Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Ricotta Alfredo Pasta for a cheesy twist with a ricotta base.
Craving something spicy? One Skillet Cheesy Spicy Garlic Butter Steak Pasta delivers bold flavor and heat.
The ultimate comfort meal: Bowtie Pasta with Creamy Velveeta Beef Sauce is savory, creamy, and family-approved.
For a tangy, creamy vibe, check out the Sweet Tangy Honey Dijon Chicken Pasta.
Or cozy up with One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta Dinner for something quick and hearty.

Looking for more weeknight inspiration or indulgent weekend meals? Visit my full recipe collection on Pinterest – Life with Nina where I share daily dishes and creative twists.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can find it anytime you need a comfort-packed meal idea.

And when you make it, drop a comment below! Did you use a different cheese combo? Did you try it with fettuccine instead of rigatoni?

I absolutely love seeing your spins on these dishes. Got a question? Leave it below—let’s make dinner easier and better together.

Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce

Author: Nina Johnson
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Italian

Print Recipe

Description

This hearty comfort dish combines buttery garlic-seared steak bites with tender rigatoni pasta in a luscious, velvety four-cheese sauce. It’s a one-pan favorite perfect for indulgent dinners, special occasions, or cozy nights in.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak cubes for 2–3 minutes on each side until browned. Work in batches if needed. Remove and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until garlic is golden.

4. Return steak cubes to the skillet and toss in garlic butter for 1–2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

5. In a saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium. Once bubbling, reduce heat to low. Stir in mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, and asiago until melted and smooth. Thin with pasta water if needed.

6. Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat. Stir in chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.

7. Plate rigatoni and top or serve alongside the garlic butter steak. Garnish with extra parsley and parmesan.