Description
This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni is a comfort food dream come true! Juicy, tender steak tips cooked to perfection in a garlic butter sauce paired with rich, creamy, and cheesy rigatoni—this dish is pure indulgence. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Garlic Butter Steak Tips:
- 1 lb steak tips or sirloin, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Cheesy Rigatoni:
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (or heavy cream for a richer sauce)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Sear the Steak Tips
- Season the steak tips with salt, pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
- Sear the steak tips for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness (medium-rare recommended).
- Remove the steak tips from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter.
- Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Return the steak tips to the skillet, tossing them in the garlic butter sauce. Turn off the heat and let them rest.
- Prepare the Cheesy Rigatoni Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens (about 3-5 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine the Rigatoni and Cheese Sauce
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the cheese sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Plate the cheesy rigatoni and top with the garlic butter steak tips.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Room Temperature Steak: Let the steak sit out for about 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even searing.
- Don’t Overcook: For tender steak tips, cook them to medium-rare or medium and let them rest before serving.
- Cheese Sauce Consistency: Adjust the thickness of the cheese sauce by adding small amounts of the reserved pasta water.
- Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce for a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: American