Easy Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

Succulent garlic butter steak tips promise a mouthwatering dance of flavors that will captivate your dinner table.

Juicy meat gets lavished with rich, melting butter and aromatic herbs.

Tender rigatoni provides the perfect canvas for this robust meal.

Crisp edges of steak contrast beautifully against creamy pasta strands.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully seasoned bite.

Weekend cooking transforms into a gourmet experience with minimal effort.

Prepare to savor every single delectable morsel that celebrates simple, elegant cuisine.

Why Garlic Butter Steak Tips Are Irresistible

• Conquer Complex Flavors: Easily blend rich garlic butter, tender steak tips, and creamy cheese sauce into one incredible restaurant-quality meal that impresses without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adapt cooking times for steak doneness, swap cheese types, or adjust seasonings to match personal taste preferences, making this recipe wonderfully flexible.
• Satisfy Hungry Crowds: Packed with protein and carbs, this one-skillet wonder delivers a hearty dinner that pleases both meat lovers and pasta enthusiasts with minimal cleanup required.
• Master Quick Weeknight Dining: Transform basic ingredients into a gourmet-style dish that feels special but comes together faster than ordering takeout, perfect for busy families and home cooks.

What You’ll Need for This Cheesy Dish

• Rigatoni: A robust pasta shape that holds sauce well and provides a hearty base for the dish.

• Steak Tips: Tender beef pieces that add rich, meaty flavor and protein to the meal.

• Butter, Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: These ingredients create a luxurious, creamy sauce that coats the pasta and enhances the overall richness of the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Minced Garlic, Italian Seasoning: These spices and herbs provide depth of flavor, enhance the meat's taste, and add aromatic complexity to the sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh herb that adds color and a light, clean flavor to finish the dish.

• Olive Oil: A healthy fat that helps sear the steak and prevent sticking in the skillet.

Steps to Make Steak Tips and Rigatoni

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook rigatoni in a large pot of salted water until it reaches that ideal al dente texture. Drain the pasta and set it aside, ready for its flavor transformation.

Step 2: Sizzle Steak to Perfection

• Steak tips
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Generously season steak tips with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Sear the meat in batches, creating a beautiful golden-brown crust by cooking 2-3 minutes on each side. Once cooked to your preferred doneness, transfer the steak to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Garlic Butter

Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic, letting it dance and release its fragrant aroma for about a minute.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Cheese Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Italian seasoning
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Pour heavy cream into the skillet and sprinkle in Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer, then slowly incorporate Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses until the sauce becomes luxuriously smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Protein

Reunite the cooked rigatoni with the dreamy cheese sauce, ensuring every pasta tube gets perfectly coated. Gently return the seared steak tips to the skillet and drizzle with an extra touch of butter, creating a final flavor fusion.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish and dust with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and the flavors are at their peak.

Notes That Help This Steak Dish Shine

• Perfectly cook pasta al dente by setting a timer and testing for slight firmness to ensure ideal texture.
• Pat steak tips dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and enhance flavor absorption.
• Use high-quality Parmesan and fresh garlic for maximum taste complexity in the cream sauce.
• Control heat carefully when making sauce to prevent cheese from separating and maintain smooth consistency.
• Let steak rest briefly after cooking to retain juices and prevent dryness when adding back to the skillet.

Ways to Customize Steak and Pasta Combo

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace steak tips with grilled portobello mushrooms or firm tofu cubes, seasoned similarly for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free rigatoni pasta and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Lighter Cream Sauce Version: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce overall calorie content while maintaining creamy texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes, swap Italian seasoning for za'atar, and include crumbled feta cheese for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired variation.

What Matches This Steak Pasta Dinner Best

• Savor Rich Red Wine Pairing: Full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly complements the robust steak, cutting through the creamy sauce with bold tannins and dark fruit notes.
• Enhance Herbal Garnish Companion: Fresh crisp Sauvignon Blanc matches the parsley's brightness, offering a light, zesty counterpoint to the heavy pasta and meat dish.
• Balance Cheese and Meat Harmony: Robust Chianti Classico elevates the Parmesan and mozzarella flavors while standing up to the hearty steak tips, creating a classic Italian-inspired dining experience.
• Refresh with Citrus Twist: Sparkling lemon-infused water cleanses the palate between bites, cutting through the rich garlic butter and creamy sauce, providing a light, refreshing contrast.

How to Store Steak and Pasta Meals Right

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate pasta and steak to maintain their individual textures.
• Wrap steak and pasta separately in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date to track freshness.
• Place portions on microwave-safe plate, sprinkle few drops of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through. Stir gently to redistribute sauce.

FAQs

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

Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature: 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium, and 160°F for well-done. Adjust cooking time accordingly.

• Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute rigatoni with penne, ziti, or fettuccine. Choose a pasta shape that can hold the creamy sauce well.

• What if I don't have Italian seasoning?

Create a quick blend using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Alternatively, use dried herbs you have on hand or fresh herbs for a similar flavor profile.

Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling garlic butter steak tips mingle with creamy rigatoni in this irresistible Italian-inspired comfort dish. Rich flavors and tender meat promise a luxurious dining experience that satisfies your deepest culinary cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta

Seasonings and Spices:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Fats and Oils:

• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cheese and Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Boil the rigatoni in generously salted water at a rolling boil for 8-10 minutes until perfectly al dente. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Season steak tips with a robust blend of salt, cracked black pepper, and aromatic garlic powder. Sear in a blazing hot skillet with olive oil, creating a golden-brown crust for 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer seared steak to a holding plate.
3. Reduce skillet heat and introduce butter, allowing it to melt and transform. Quickly sauté minced garlic until its fragrance permeates the kitchen, releasing intense aromatics.
4. Stream heavy cream into the skillet, sprinkling Italian seasoning. Gently simmer the mixture, then fold in Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses until the sauce becomes velvety and luxuriously smooth.
5. Reintroduce rigatoni to the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta tube is lavishly coated. Carefully nestle seared steak tips back into the skillet, drizzling with an additional pat of butter for extra richness.
6. Elevate the dish with a vibrant garnish of fresh parsley and a delicate snowfall of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while piping hot, capturing the essence of comfort and indulgence.

Notes

• Perfectly sear steak tips by patting them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a beautiful golden-brown crust without steaming.
• Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by cooking it just until al dente, as it will continue to absorb sauce in the skillet, maintaining a perfect texture.
• Customize the dish for different diets by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free option or using gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version.
• Enhance flavor complexity by using a meat thermometer to achieve precise doneness, allowing you to personalize the steak’s temperature from rare to well-done.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 715 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg