Description
A delicious and hearty dish featuring tender steak bites and shell pasta tossed in a creamy garlic butter Alfredo sauce, perfect for a comforting yet elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak Bites
- 12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Pasta
- 8 oz shell pasta
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shell pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season Steak Bites: Pat the steak bites dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak bites in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your preferred level of doneness. Transfer the steak bites to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare Alfredo Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and top with the steak bites, including any juices that collected. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- For best results, use a high-quality, well-marbled steak such as ribeye or sirloin.
- Be careful not to overcook the steak bites to keep them tender and juicy.
- Freshly grated Parmesan gives the best flavor and texture for the sauce.
- Adjust the thickness of the Alfredo sauce by adding reserved pasta water gradually.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh herb flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: steak bites, shell pasta, garlic butter Alfredo sauce, creamy pasta, steak and pasta recipe, easy dinner, skillet steak
