Description
This comforting recipe combines tender Cajun steak tips with rigatoni tossed in a creamy garlic butter Parmesan sauce. Rich, spicy, and totally satisfying, it’s the perfect way to elevate your weeknight dinner or impress weekend guests.
Ingredients
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1 pound beef steak tips (sirloin or ribeye)
3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Pat the steak tips dry, then season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak tips for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
5. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually mix in Parmesan until the sauce is smooth. Add pasta water to adjust thickness if needed.
6. Toss in cooked rigatoni and stir to coat. Simmer for 1–2 minutes to blend flavors.
7. Plate pasta and top with Cajun steak tips. Garnish with parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce to the steak seasoning.
Always reserve pasta water—it helps loosen and re-emulsify thick sauces.
Let the steak rest before serving to lock in juices and tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 785
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: Cajun steak tips, creamy garlic pasta, rigatoni steak