Description
A rich and comforting dish featuring tender steak bites served over shell pasta in a creamy garlic butter Alfredo sauce, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak and Pasta
- 12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz shell pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
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
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook shell pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Steak: Pat steak bites dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear Steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak bites in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your liking. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pasta and top with the steak bites and any juices that collected on the plate. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- Adjust seasoning carefully, especially salt, since Parmesan can be salty.
- Reserve pasta water helps to thin and bind the sauce perfectly.
- Cooking steak to medium-rare or preferred doneness enhances tenderness.
- Parsley adds a fresh color contrast and subtle herb flavor, optional to include.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion
Keywords: steak bites, garlic butter Alfredo, shell pasta, skillet dinner, creamy pasta, quick steak recipe
