Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni (Easy & Creamy Family Favorite) Recipe
Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni is a creamy, comforting pasta dish featuring tender seared steak bites tossed in a luscious garlic butter Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for an easy family dinner, this recipe balances rich flavors with a quick preparation time, making it a delightful weeknight favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni
Steak and Sauce
- 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Optional
- Sautéed mushrooms or spinach, as desired
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until just al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the rigatoni.
- Sear the Steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cubed steak with salt and black pepper. Sear the steak in two batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking until browned and just cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Remove steak to a plate.
- Melt Butter and Cook Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add Heavy Cream: Pour in the heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and gently stir to coat all the pasta. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it up with some reserved pasta water.
- Return Steak and Add Parsley: Let the steak rest for 3-5 minutes, then add it back into the skillet. Stir gently to combine everything evenly. Finish by stirring in the chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve: Serve the Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni hot, optionally alongside bread or garlic butter green beans for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use a microplane to freshly grate Parmesan for a silky smooth sauce.
- Allow the steak to rest before combining to keep it juicy and tender.
- Reserving pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- For added nutrition and flavor, stir in sautéed mushrooms or spinach before serving.
Keywords: Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni, Creamy Pasta, Steak Pasta, Easy Dinner, Family Favorite, Rigatoni Recipe