Zesty Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

Tender medallions of beef shine when perfectly coated in a rich garlic butter steak sauce that melts into every crevice.

Pasta lovers understand the magic of combining hearty rigatoni with succulent meat chunks.

Creamy cheese weaves through each tube, creating pockets of deliciousness waiting to surprise you.

The combination promises a restaurant-quality meal without leaving your kitchen.

Restaurant chefs know simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors when prepared with care.

Melted butter and robust garlic infuse the steak with deep, complex notes that complement the pasta’s richness.

Grab a fork and get ready to indulge in this irresistible comfort classic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Fun Swaps For Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni

• Spicy Southwest Steak Pasta: Transform the recipe with a zesty southwestern flair by replacing Italian seasoning with chili powder, cumin, and adding diced green chilies to the pasta sauce. Substitute Parmesan with pepper jack cheese for an extra kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Steak Pasta: Infuse Mediterranean flavors by using oregano, thyme, and rosemary instead of Italian seasoning. Top with crumbled feta cheese and add halved cherry tomatoes to the pasta for a bright, fresh profile.
• One-Pot Rustic Steak Skillet: Simplify the cooking process by preparing everything in a single cast-iron skillet. Incorporate diced bell peppers and onions during steak searing for added depth and reduce the number of pans used in preparation.
• Creamy Blue Cheese Steak Pasta: Swap mozzarella and Parmesan with crumbled blue cheese in the sauce. Add chopped chives and a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a rich, tangy variation that elevates the classic recipe.

Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni Common Questions

• What makes the steak tips so flavorful?

The combination of smoked paprika, onion powder, and the garlic butter sauce creates an incredible depth of flavor. Searing the steak at high heat locks in the juices and creates a delicious caramelized exterior that adds richness to every bite.

• Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Absolutely! Sirloin tips, flank steak, or even beef tenderloin work great. The key is to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and ensure you don’t overcook them to maintain tenderness and juiciness.

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has a mild kick from optional red pepper flakes, but you can easily control the heat. Leave out the red pepper flakes for a milder version, or add more if you love spice. The garlic butter and cheesy sauce balance any heat perfectly.

• How do I know when the steak is cooked to the right doneness?

Use a meat thermometer for precision: 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium. If you don’t have a thermometer, look for a golden-brown sear and slightly pink center for the best texture and flavor.

Why Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni Hit The Spot

• Effortless Gourmet Experience: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal without requiring professional chef skills, making sophisticated dining accessible to home cooks.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: From start to finish, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families seeking delicious and satisfying meals without lengthy preparation.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort Combo: The rich garlic butter steak paired with creamy, cheesy rigatoni creates a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that comfort and excite the palate simultaneously.
• Customizable Culinary Adventure: Easily adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes, swap cheese varieties, or modify steak doneness to suit individual preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients List For Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni

• Steak Tips: Tender beef pieces that become juicy and flavorful when seared, best with high-quality, well-marbled cuts.
• Mozzarella, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy, melty cheeses that create a rich sauce and add depth to the pasta.

• Rigatoni: Large tube-shaped pasta that holds sauce well, providing a hearty base for the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety cheese sauce.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a silky texture for both steak and pasta.

• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor to both steak and cheese sauce, best when fresh and finely minced.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall taste of the dish.
• Smoked Paprika, Onion Powder: Provide depth and complexity to the steak seasoning.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds tangy, umami flavor to the steak.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that brings Mediterranean-inspired taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding a subtle heat and spice.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a light herbal note.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing the steak and preventing sticking.

Easy Prep For Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni

• Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Drop in the rigatoni and cook until al dente—tender yet firm to the bite. Drain and set aside.

• Season and Sear Steak Tips

Season steak tips with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the steak until golden brown and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the steak and reduce the heat. Add butter and minced garlic, stirring until fragrant. Pour in Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Return the steak to the pan and coat it in the garlic butter mixture.

• Create Cheesy Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter and add minced garlic. Pour in heavy cream and season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let it simmer gently, then stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Fold in the cooked rigatoni until fully coated.

• Plate and Garnish

Spoon the creamy rigatoni onto serving plates and top with the garlic butter steak tips. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately and enjoy every rich, savory bite.

Helpful Tricks For Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni

• Optimize Meat Searing: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and ensure it's scorching hot before adding steak tips to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without overcooking the meat.
• Cheese Melting Mastery: Gradually add cheese to the cream sauce and stir continuously to prevent clumping and create a silky, smooth texture that coats the rigatoni beautifully.
• Pasta Perfection Technique: Salt your pasta water generously and cook rigatoni just until al dente to maintain a slight bite and prevent mushy pasta when mixing with the cheese sauce.
• Flavor Boost Hack: Let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking to help retain its juices, ensuring each bite remains tender and packed with savory garlic butter goodness.
• Dietary Swap Options: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free pasta to make this dish accessible for different dietary needs.

How To Store Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni

• Refrigerate leftover steak and pasta separately in airtight containers within two hours of cooking.
• Cool dishes completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Consume refrigerated steak and pasta within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Reheat steak gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to maintain tenderness, adding a splash of broth or butter to prevent dryness.
• Warm pasta in the microwave with a drizzle of water or additional cream to restore moisture and prevent clumping.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as cream-based sauces and pasta can separate and lose texture when thawed.
• Always check for signs of spoilage like unusual odors or discoloration before reheating and consuming leftovers.

Tasty Pairings With Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni

• Savor Robust Red Wine Pairing: Complement the rich, savory steak with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, which matches the meat's intensity and cuts through the creamy cheese sauce beautifully.
• Elevate with Crisp Salad Companion: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness, providing a fresh, zesty contrast to the hearty steak and cheesy pasta.
• Match with Garlic Bread Sidekick: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce, enhancing the meal's flavor profile and adding an extra layer of comfort to the dining experience.
• Refresh with Craft Beer Option: Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale that can stand up to the bold flavors of the steak while cutting through the creamy cheese sauce with its crisp, bitter notes.

Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter steak tips marry perfectly with creamy cheesy rigatoni in this irresistible comfort meal. Hearty flavors and rich textures create a delightful dinner sensation you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized pieces

Pasta and Cheese:

• 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Sauce Components:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge rigatoni and cook until perfectly tender yet firm, following package guidance. Carefully drain the pasta, setting it aside for later assembly.

1. In a mixing vessel, massage steak pieces with a blend of seasonings, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated. Ignite a skillet to medium-high temperature and introduce a gloss of olive oil.

1. Strategically place steak tips in the sizzling pan, avoiding overcrowding. Allow each piece to develop a rich, caramelized exterior by searing approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the beautifully browned morsels to a temporary resting plate.

1. Reduce skillet heat and introduce butter, which will melt and create a fragrant base. Tumble minced garlic into the golden liquid, stirring until its aroma permeates the kitchen. Splash Worcestershire sauce and sprinkle red pepper flakes for depth.

1. Reunite the steak tips with the aromatic butter, gently tossing to ensure complete flavor integration. Remove from heat and set aside.

1. In a separate saucepan, melt butter and quickly introduce garlic. Pour heavy cream and season with salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and a whisper of red pepper flakes.

1. Allow the cream mixture to simmer gently, then gradually incorporate mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Stir consistently until a luxurious, velvety sauce emerges.

1. Fold the reserved rigatoni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta tube is lavishly coated.

1. Artfully plate the cheesy rigatoni, crown with the garlic-kissed steak tips, and garnish with delicate parsley and a snowfall of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while flavors are at their peak.

Notes

• Swap steak for plant-based alternatives like portobello mushrooms or seitan to create a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, savory flavor profile.
• Experiment with gluten-free rigatoni or zucchini noodles for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring the dish remains deliciously satisfying.
• Reduce cooking time for steak tips to create a more tender texture by using a meat tenderizer or choosing a more marbled cut of beef.
• Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or omitting them entirely for a milder dish that appeals to sensitive palates.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 750
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 150mg