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Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak Tips

Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak Tips

Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak Tips is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender, juicy steak pieces seared in garlic-infused butter with creamy, cheesy rigatoni pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe blends rich, savory tastes and perfectly balanced textures for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • Salt (for boiling water)

Steak Tips

  • 1 lb steak tips (sirloin or preferred tender cut), bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp garlic butter (butter infused with 23 cloves minced garlic)

Cheesy Sauce

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Garnish

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. Sear the steak tips: Heat olive oil and garlic butter together in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Season the steak tips generously with salt and pepper. Sear the steak tips for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove from skillet and let rest.
  3. Make the cheesy sauce: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet and add heavy cream. Stir to combine and incorporate any browned bits left from the steak. Gradually add Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses while stirring constantly until the sauce becomes smooth and melted. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni directly into the skillet with the cheesy sauce. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly. Slice rested steak tips into bite-sized pieces and fold into the pasta and sauce mixture.
  5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm and gooey for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Rest the steak after searing to allow juices to redistribute for tenderness.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella for best melting and flavor.
  • Do not overcook rigatoni; it should be al dente to avoid mushiness.
  • Customize garlic butter by adding fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cheesy rigatoni, garlic butter steak tips, creamy pasta, steak pasta recipe, comfort food, quick dinner, family meal