Description
Sizzling cheesy steak bites and rotini pasta brings hearty comfort to dinner tables with classic Italian-American flair. Rich beef morsels and perfectly al dente pasta create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) steak (sirloin, ribeye, or flank), cut into bite-sized pieces
Cheeses:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for steak)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning or Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Initiate pasta preparation by boiling salted water in a generously sized pot. Submerge rotini and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight firmness. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Liberally season steak pieces with Cajun spice blend, incorporating salt and freshly ground black pepper. Warm a blend of olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over robust heat. Carefully introduce meat morsels, searing each side until golden and reaching preferred doneness. Transfer protein to a temporary holding plate.
- Utilize the same skillet for crafting a luxurious cheese sauce. Melt butter and whisk in flour, creating a silky roux. Gradually introduce milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Allow mixture to thicken, developing a creamy consistency. Incorporate cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until completely melted and uniformly smooth. Enhance with smoked paprika, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Gently fold cooked rotini into the velvety cheese sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Reintegrate seared steak bites, delicately mixing to distribute evenly. Optional: Sprinkle fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes for added vibrancy. Serve piping hot, presenting a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Select tender cuts like sirloin or ribeye for the most succulent and flavorful steak bites that melt in your mouth.
- Allow steak to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking to ensure even searing and maximum juiciness.
- Pat steak pieces completely dry with paper towels to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without steaming the meat.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for superior heat distribution and an incredible caramelized exterior on the steak bites.
- Prevent cheese sauce from becoming grainy by adding cheese off the heat and stirring until smooth and fully incorporated.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk with low-fat alternatives and use reduced-fat cheese blends.
- Enhance protein options by swapping steak with chicken, shrimp, or plant-based protein for dietary flexibility.
- Spice lovers can amp up heat by adding extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg