Description
Succulent Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni blends Italian comfort with sizzling protein perfection. Hearty pasta and tender beef create a luxurious meal that satisfies hungry diners seeking robust flavors and elegant simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz (340 g) rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 5 tbsps unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and reserve for final assembly.
- Steak Seasoning and Searing: Thoroughly coat steak pieces with selected seasonings. Heat a skillet to medium-high, adding a thin layer of olive oil. Sear steak tips for 2-3 minutes per side, creating a rich caramelized crust. Transfer to a holding plate.
- Flavor Base Creation: Reduce skillet heat, melt butter, and add minced garlic. Introduce Worcestershire sauce and red pepper flakes, creating an aromatic foundation. Return steak tips to the pan, gently tossing to marry flavors.
- Cheese Sauce Crafting: In a separate saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic. Pour heavy cream and season with salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Gradually whisk in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until a smooth, creamy sauce develops.
- Final Composition: Integrate cooked rigatoni into the cheese sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Transfer to serving plates, strategically layer with seared steak tips. Garnish with fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while flavors are at their most vibrant.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Monitor rigatoni closely during boiling to maintain al dente texture, testing periodically to avoid mushy consistency.
- Achieve Perfect Steak Sear: Use high heat and minimal pan movement to create a golden-brown crust, ensuring each piece develops rich caramelization without steaming.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Stir cheese sauce continuously and maintain gentle heat to prevent separation or burning, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Optimize Flavor Layering: Season each component separately and allow ingredients to develop individual depths before combining for maximum taste complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg