Description

A luxurious, restaurant-worthy dinner idea you can make at home, this Rigatoni in Garlic Butter Parmesan Cream Sauce with Cajun Steak Tips combines tender, spicy seared steak with creamy, cheesy pasta for a bold and comforting dish. Whether you’re craving a hearty easy dinner, looking for elevated comfort food, or browsing food ideas for a special night in, this recipe delivers flavor, texture, and satisfaction in every bite. Ideal for anyone who loves rich pasta dishes with a spicy twist — a must-add to your list of dinner ideas and easy recipes!

Ingredients

12 oz rigatoni pasta

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1 ½ lbs sirloin steak or tenderloin, cubed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter (for searing steak)

1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional: squeeze of lemon juice or splash of beef broth

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente, then drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.

2. Pat steak tips dry and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak tips in batches, 2–3 minutes per side. Add 1 tablespoon butter during final 30 seconds and baste. Remove from heat and let rest.

4. In a large sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes.

5. Stir in flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute.

6. Gradually whisk in heavy cream and milk. Simmer on low, stirring until slightly thickened.

7. Add Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until creamy and smooth.

8. Toss cooked rigatoni into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Simmer for 1–2 minutes.

9. Plate the pasta and top with Cajun steak tips. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Notes

Let the steak rest before slicing or serving to keep it juicy and tender.

Always use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth and creamy sauce.

Reserve pasta water! It’s a natural way to loosen and enrich the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 of total)
Calories: 780
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 880mg
Fat: 44g
Saturated Fat: 21g
Unsaturated Fat: 19g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 41g
Cholesterol: 165mg

Keywords: creamy pasta, steak pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, garlic butter sauce