Cajun Steak Tips with Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Cajun Steak Tips is a flavorful and creamy pasta dish that combines tender, spiced steak with a rich cheese sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe brings a spicy kick to classic rigatoni and creamy Parmesan sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 lb steak tips (sirloin or ribeye), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 10 oz rigatoni pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp butter (divided)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Fontina cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season steak tips with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak tips until browned on all sides, then remove them from the skillet and set aside.
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet used for the steak, add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Step 4: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.
5. Step 5: Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted. If using, add the shredded mozzarella or Fontina cheese. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning to your taste.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
7. Step 7: Gently fold the seared steak tips into the pasta and sauce mixture.
8. Step 8: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.

Tips & Variations

• Use ribeye for a richer, more tender steak or sirloin for a leaner option.
• Add a splash of white wine before the cream to deepen the sauce flavor.
• For extra heat, include a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce in the sauce.
• Swap rigatoni for penne or fettuccine depending on your preference.
• To lighten the dish, substitute half the heavy cream with whole milk.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if it thickens. Avoid microwaving directly as the sauce may separate.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of steak?

Yes, you can use any tender cut suitable for quick cooking such as flank steak or skirt steak. Just adjust cooking time to avoid overcooking.

Is there a substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream cheese for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich and creamy.

Cajun Steak Tips with Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 90 reviews

This Cajun Steak Tips recipe offers a flavorful and creamy pasta dish featuring tender, bite-sized sirloin or ribeye steak tips seasoned with bold Cajun spices. Served over al dente rigatoni and bathed in a rich, cheesy cream sauce with garlic and Parmesan, it’s a perfect blend of spicy, savory, and creamy comfort food that’s quick and easy to prepare on the stovetop.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Steak & Seasoning

• 1 lb steak tips (sirloin or ribeye), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Pasta

• 10 oz rigatoni pasta

Sauce

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Fontina cheese (optional)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp butter (divided)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Sear the Steak: Season the steak tips with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, along with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the steak tips and sear them until they are browned on all sides, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically around 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet used for the steak, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Add the Cheese: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and the sauce thickens slightly. If using, add the shredded mozzarella or Fontina cheese for extra creaminess. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning to taste, stirring well to incorporate.
5. Combine: Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency. Gently fold the seared steak tips back into the skillet, combining everything evenly without breaking the steak pieces.
6. Serve: Plate the Cajun steak tips rigatoni immediately, garnishing with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper for an appealing finish.

Notes

• Use sirloin or ribeye steak tips for the best tenderness and flavor, but you can substitute with any tender steak cut.
• Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your spice preference.
• If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though this will reduce richness.
• Reserving pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and make it cling better to the pasta.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute rigatoni with gluten-free pasta.
• Serve immediately as the sauce thickens and sets once cooled.

Keywords: Cajun steak tips, creamy Cajun pasta, rigatoni with steak, Cajun seasoning recipe, creamy Parmesan pasta, one-pan pasta dishes