Description
Rich, creamy, and packed with bold flavor, this Rigatoni in Garlic Butter Parmesan Cream Sauce with Cajun Steak Tips is a comforting pasta recipe that’s quick, indulgent, and perfect for dinner. With spicy Cajun steak, velvety cream sauce, and parmesan, it’s a must-try pasta dish for meat and cheese lovers.
Ingredients
1 pound rigatoni
1 pound sirloin steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons salted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
2. Season steak tips with Cajun seasoning until fully coated.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak tips for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your liking. Remove and set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add salted butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in parmesan cheese, black pepper, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
6. Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss well to coat.
7. Return the steak tips to the skillet and stir everything together gently. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat through.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
This dish can be made milder or spicier depending on your Cajun seasoning.
If you want a thinner sauce, add a bit more pasta water.
For extra richness, finish with a pat of butter stirred in at the end.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous bowl
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 135mg