One Pot Zesty Steak Pasta
One Pot Zesty Steak Pasta is a quick, flavorful, and comforting dish combining tender steak strips and al dente pasta in a tangy, slightly spicy sauce with creamy cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers bold, savory flavors with minimal cleanup and maximum taste.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free pasta)
Proteins
- 8 oz sirloin or flank steak strips
Pasta
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
Aromatics and Vegetables
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with chili flakes
Liquids and Fats
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cheese and Herbs
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: extra crushed red pepper flakes for heat
- Sear the Steak: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then add seasoned steak strips. Cook just until browned on all sides but still juicy inside, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the pot and set aside to keep the meat tender.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, roughly 2-3 minutes. This builds a flavorful base for your zesty sauce.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in diced tomatoes with chili flakes along with the beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom, ensuring maximum flavor in the sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Stir in your choice of pasta, making sure it’s submerged in the liquid. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed, usually around 12 minutes.
- Return Steak and Add Cheese: Once pasta is perfectly cooked, add the reserved steak back into the pot along with shredded cheese. Stir gently until the cheese melts into a creamy, zesty coating that clings to every noodle and piece of steak.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish with fresh herbs for a bright touch. Serve hot straight from the pot for ultimate comfort and ease.
Notes
- Choose quality steak: Using a tender cut like sirloin or ribeye will yield juicier results.
- Don’t overcook steak: Sear quickly to lock in juices and keep meat tender when added back at the end.
- Reserve some pasta water: Keep a splash for adjusting sauce consistency if it gets too thick.
- Use fresh herbs: They brighten the final dish and prevent it from tasting heavy.
- Adjust spice levels: Customize amount of chili flakes or add hot sauce for personal heat preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: one pot, steak pasta, zesty pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, cheesy pasta, gluten free pasta option, easy dinner