Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

Simmering in a skillet of garlic butter, these steak tips dance with irresistible flavor alongside creamy rigatoni.

Juicy beef morsels promise a symphony of taste in every bite.

Herbs and melted cheese create a luxurious backdrop for this hearty meal.

Each forkful promises pure comfort and satisfaction.

Simple ingredients come together in a surprisingly elegant dish that impresses without complexity.

Quick to prepare and packed with robust flavors, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality dining right in your kitchen.

Savor every moment and let your taste buds celebrate this delectable combination.

What Makes Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Special

• Boost Flavor Fast: Smoked paprika and a garlic butter finish transform simple steak tips into a restaurant-worthy dish that packs incredible taste in minutes.
• Customize Cooking Ease: Adjust steak doneness to personal preference, making this recipe perfect for both novice and experienced home cooks who want delicious results.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Combining three different cheeses creates a rich, creamy sauce that elevates basic pasta into a luxurious comfort food experience that will wow the entire family.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cooking equipment means less cleanup, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet meal without spending ages washing dishes afterward.

Ingredients Needed for Garlic Butter Steak Tips and Rigatoni

• Steak Tips: Tender beef pieces that provide a hearty and flavorful main component of the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Smoked Paprika: Essential spices that enhance the natural flavor of the steak and add depth to the meat.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Oils that help cook the steak and create a rich, flavorful base for the dish.

• Rigatoni: Large tube-shaped pasta that holds the creamy cheese sauce perfectly.

• Heavy Cream, Milk: Dairy liquids that create a smooth and creamy base for the cheese sauce.
• Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan Cheese: Classic Italian cheeses that melt together to form a rich and complex cheese sauce.

• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Herbs and spices that add depth and complexity to the cheese sauce.

• Garlic: Minced fresh garlic that provides a sharp and intense flavor to the steak and adds depth to the dish.

How to Cook Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Rigatoni

Step 1: Prepare Steak for Searing

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika

Cook the steak tips for 3-4 minutes on each side until they reach your preferred doneness.

Step 2: Infuse with Garlic Butter

Add butter and minced garlic to the pan. Toss steak tips in the aromatic butter mixture for about 1 minute, then remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Boil Rigatoni Pasta

Cook rigatoni in a pot of salted water according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and reserve.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Cheese Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Milk

Step 5: Blend Cheese Mixture

• Shredded mozzarella
• Provolone
• Parmesan cheese

Step 6: Season Cheese Sauce

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Gently fold cooked rigatoni into the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring every pasta tube is generously coated.

Step 8: Plate and Serve

Arrange cheesy rigatoni on plates and top with garlic butter steak tips. Enjoy immediately while hot and decadent.

Helpful Tips for Garlic Butter Steak Tips and Rigatoni

• Use a hot skillet and avoid overcrowding to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in delicious flavors.
• Mix mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan for a rich, creamy sauce with complex depth and smooth texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature – 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium steak tips.
• Add minced garlic at the end of cooking to prevent burning and maintain fresh, intense garlic flavor.
• Reserve a little pasta water to help sauce cling better to rigatoni, creating a more luxurious and silky finish.

Variations for Garlic Butter Steak Tips and Rigatoni

• Spicy Southwest Remix: Replace smoked paprika with chili powder and add cayenne pepper to steak seasoning. Mix in diced jalapeños and use pepper jack cheese for the sauce.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Season steak with oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Swap mozzarella for crumbled feta cheese and add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pasta.
• Smoky Bacon Upgrade: Crisp chopped bacon and sprinkle over the steak and pasta. Use smoked gouda instead of provolone for a deeper flavor profile.
• Asian-Inspired Version: Marinate steak tips in soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil. Replace Italian cheese with sharp cheddar and add green onions for garnish.

What Goes Well With Garlic Butter Steak Tips and Rigatoni

• Savor Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Choose a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, savory steak and match the intense garlic and cheese notes.
• Create Texture-Enhancing Side Salad: Prepare a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the steak and cheesy pasta, adding a refreshing contrast to the heavy dish.
• Elevate Herb Accompaniment: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil over the dish to brighten the flavors and add a pop of green color that enhances the visual appeal and provides a light, fresh element.

Proper Storage for Garlic Butter Steak Tips and Rigatoni

Store leftover steak and pasta separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Place cooled steak and pasta in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.

Place steak and pasta in microwave-safe dish. Add splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

Warm pasta in skillet with small amount of butter or olive oil over medium-low heat. Separately reheat steak in another pan for 1-2 minutes to maintain tenderness, avoiding overcooking.

FAQs

• How do I know when the steak tips are cooked to my desired doneness?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare, aim for 135°F, medium 145°F, and well-done 160°F. Let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute.

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While rigatoni works great, you can substitute with penne, ziti, or any other short pasta shape that holds sauce well. The key is choosing a pasta with ridges or tubes that can capture the cheesy sauce.

• What's the best way to prevent the cheese sauce from becoming grainy?

Melt cheese slowly over low-medium heat and stir constantly. Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded, as it melts more smoothly.

Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling garlic butter steak tips mingle with creamy cheesy rigatoni in this irresistible comfort dish. Rich flavors and hearty textures combine to deliver a restaurant-worthy meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) steak tips

Dairy:

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup shredded provolone
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Seasonings and Pasta:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
• Salt & pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sear the steak tips in a preheated large skillet with olive oil at medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, creating a golden-brown exterior while maintaining the desired internal temperature.
2. Generously coat the steak tips with a robust blend of salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika before cooking to enhance their natural flavors.
3. Introduce minced garlic and butter to the hot skillet, quickly tossing the seared steak tips to infuse them with aromatic richness, then remove from heat.
4. Prepare rigatoni in boiling water according to package guidelines until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly.
5. Create a velvety cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, then gradually incorporating heavy cream and milk over medium heat.
6. Gradually whisk in a trio of cheeses – mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan – until the mixture transforms into a smooth, luxurious sauce.
7. Elevate the sauce’s depth by seasoning with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
8. Gently fold the cooked rigatoni into the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta tube is lavishly coated with the decadent mixture.
9. Plate the cheesy rigatoni and crown with the garlic-butter steak tips, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Notes

• Opt for high-quality steak cuts like sirloin or ribeye tips for maximum tenderness and flavor.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure precise doneness, aiming for medium-rare (135°F) or medium (145°F) for optimal juiciness.
• Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free pasta and ensuring all seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Enhance meal prep by marinating steak tips overnight in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for deeper flavor penetration.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 471 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 490 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg