Description
Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni is a comforting and flavorful American main course featuring tender sirloin steak pieces seared in olive oil and butter, combined with a rich garlic-infused cheese sauce coating perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta. This skillet dish delivers a delightful balance of savory steak, creamy cheddar-Parmesan sauce, and aromatic herbs, perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak Tips
- 1 lb sirloin steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Cheese Sauce and Pasta
- 8 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season Steak Tips: While the pasta cooks, season steak tips with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to evenly coat the meat.
- Sear Steak Tips: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak tips and sear each side for 2–3 minutes until nicely browned and cooked to your desired level of doneness. Remove steak tips from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add unsalted butter and minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, infusing the butter with garlic flavor.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly add whole milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Stir in sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the cheese sauce and toss gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the cheesy mixture.
- Mix in Steak Tips: Return the seared steak tips to the skillet, gently folding them into the cheesy rigatoni so the flavors meld together.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish for a fresh touch and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate steak tips in Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use a blend of cheeses such as mozzarella or Gruyère for a more complex cheese sauce.
