Simple Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

Succulent garlic butter steak tips dance deliciously alongside creamy rigatoni for a hearty meal that promises pure comfort.

Tender beef chunks sparkle with rich, aromatic seasonings that complement the pasta’s smooth texture.

Crispy edges and juicy centers make each bite irresistible for serious home cooks seeking restaurant-quality flavors.

Melted cheese cascades over perfectly seared meat, creating a symphony of tastes that feels indulgent yet approachable.

Weekend dinner dreams come alive with this straightforward yet impressive dish that requires minimal kitchen skills.

Cheese and steak mingle beautifully, promising a satisfying experience you’ll want to recreate again and again.

Let’s unlock this culinary magic that turns simple ingredients into an extraordinary feast.

What Makes Steak Tips & Pasta a Bold Combo

• Effortless Gourmet Experience: Elevate your home cooking with restaurant-quality flavors without complex techniques or professional skills.
• Versatile One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by preparing a complete meal in a single skillet, perfect for busy weeknights and lazy cooking moments.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Combine juicy steak tips with creamy cheesy pasta to create a universally loved dish that satisfies both meat and pasta enthusiasts.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: Whip up a delicious, filling meal in less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for families with limited cooking time and hungry appetites.

Crawfish Beignets with Jalapeño Dip Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Steak Tips: Tender, flavorful meat for the main protein.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Rich, melty cheese for creamy texture.

• Rigatoni: Large tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding sauce.

• Heavy Cream: Smooth base for creating rich sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and depth of flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Classic seasoning blend for enhancing meat.
• Italian Seasoning: Aromatic herb mix for extra flavor.

• Garlic: Adds intense, savory flavor to the dish.

• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright finish.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing steak.
• Water: Used for boiling pasta.

Crispy Crawfish Beignets: How to Make Them

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Grab a big pot and fill it with water, then sprinkle in some salt. Crank up the heat until the water starts bubbling wildly. Toss in the rigatoni and let it dance around until it’s perfectly tender. Drain the pasta and set it aside – it’ll join the party later.

Step 2: Spice and Sear the Steak

Grab your steak tips and shower them with a magical blend of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Heat up a skillet with olive oil until it’s shimmering hot. Carefully place the steak tips into the pan, letting each side get a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Cook them in batches to ensure maximum flavor. Once they’re beautifully seared, pull them out and let them rest.

Step 3: Create the Garlic Butter Magic

Turn down the heat and let a pat of butter melt into liquid gold. Toss in some minced garlic and let it sizzle until the kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Sauce

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan

Stir until the sauce becomes smooth and dreamy.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Reunite the pasta with the sauce, making sure every noodle gets a creamy coating. Gently nestle the steak tips back into the skillet. Finish with a final drizzle of butter and a shower of fresh parsley. Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Beignet Tips That Bring Out Crispy Crawfish Flavor

• Choose Quality Steak: Select well-marbled beef tips for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that melts in your mouth.
• Sear with Precision: Create a golden-brown crust by patting steak tips dry before cooking and using high heat for perfect caramelization.
• Balance Cheese Melting: Add cheese gradually and stir constantly to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce texture.
• Control Pasta Doneness: Cook rigatoni just until al dente to maintain a firm bite and prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
• Herb Enhancement: Sprinkle fresh parsley or add extra Italian seasoning for a burst of aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Tips to Reheat Crispy Crawfish Beignets Without Losing Texture

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Carefully transfer cooled steak and pasta to a freezer-safe container. Seal completely, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating, about 4-5 minutes.
• Place portion on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until steaming hot throughout.

Best Pairings for Crawfish Beignets

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec with strong tannins that complement the rich, meaty steak and cut through the creamy cheese sauce.
• Create a Fresh Salad Side: Toss a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy, buttery pasta and provide a bright, acidic counterpoint to the rich dish.
• Match with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare garlic-roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts to add a caramelized, earthy element that enhances the steak's savory flavor profile.
• Select Hearty Bread Pairing: Serve warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic focaccia to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce and provide a textural contrast to the creamy pasta.

Steak Tip Pasta Swaps

• Vegetarian Pasta Swap: Replace steak tips with grilled portobello mushrooms or plant-based protein strips, maintaining the same garlic butter sauce and cheese combination for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute rigatoni with gluten-free pasta made from chickpea or rice flour, ensuring the same creamy texture and flavor profile for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta, keeping the rich garlic butter sauce and perfectly seared protein for a carbohydrate-reduced meal.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap dairy cheeses with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives, using coconut cream instead of heavy cream to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals while maintaining the dish's rich, creamy essence.

FAQs

• Why should I sear the steak tips in batches?

Searing in batches prevents overcrowding in the skillet, which helps achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and ensures even cooking. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of searing, reducing the meat’s delicious caramelized exterior.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

While rigatoni works best due to its ridges that hold the sauce, you can substitute with other tube-shaped pastas like penne or ziti. Just ensure the pasta has similar shape and texture to capture the creamy sauce effectively.

• What's the purpose of Italian seasoning in this recipe?

Italian seasoning adds depth and complexity to the sauce, blending herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. It enhances the overall flavor profile, creating a more sophisticated and rich taste to the dish.

• How do I know when the steak tips are perfectly seared?

Look for a golden-brown crust and caramelized edges. For medium-rare, cook about 2-3 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. The meat should have a slightly firm touch when pressed.

Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling garlic butter steak tips mingle with creamy cheesy rigatoni, creating a comforting Italian-American dinner sensation. Rich flavors and tender meat promise a satisfying meal that draws you into a culinary embrace of pure deliciousness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Fats and Oils:

• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup heavy cream

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Initiate pasta preparation by bringing a generously salted water vessel to an energetic boil, then immerse rigatoni and cook until achieving perfect al dente texture per package guidance, typically 8-10 minutes.
2. While pasta transforms, thoroughly season protein pieces with aromatic salt, cracked pepper, and garlic powder for enhanced flavor profile.
3. Activate a heavy-bottomed skillet over robust medium-high temperature, introducing a thin layer of olive oil to create an ideal searing environment.
4. Carefully introduce seasoned protein fragments into hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a rich caramelized exterior by cooking approximately 2-3 minutes per side; transfer seared morsels to a temporary holding plate.
5. Reduce skillet temperature to moderate heat, melting butter and introducing finely chopped garlic, allowing aromatics to release their fragrant essence for roughly 60 seconds.
6. Gently stream heavy cream into the skillet, sprinkling Italian herb blend and allowing liquid to approach a gentle simmer, creating a luxurious base.
7. Gradually incorporate mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, stirring consistently until sauce achieves a smooth, velvety consistency.
8. Reintroduce cooked rigatoni into the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta tube becomes thoroughly coated with the decadent mixture.
9. Delicately return seared protein pieces back into the skillet, folding gently to integrate all components without disrupting their perfect texture.
10. Finish the dish by drizzling remaining butter and scattering fresh parsley across the surface, presenting a restaurant-quality meal ready for immediate enjoyment.

Notes

• Opt for high-quality steak cuts like sirloin or ribeye for maximum tenderness and flavor.
• Pat steak tips dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear without excess moisture.
• Let steak rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking to promote even cooking and juiciness.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for superior heat distribution and achieving a restaurant-quality sear on the meat.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute rigatoni with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
• Control heat carefully when making the sauce to prevent cheese from becoming grainy or separating.
• Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly compared to pre-packaged shredded varieties.
• Experiment with different herb combinations like thyme or rosemary to customize the dish’s flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 757
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 745 mg
• Fat: 47 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 41 g
• Cholesterol: 144 mg