Description
This bold and comforting dish pairs juicy garlic butter-seared steak bites with creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce and perfectly cooked twisted pasta—rich, spicy, and made to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, pat the steak cubes dry and season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add steak cubes in a single layer (in batches if needed) and sear for 1–2 minutes per side until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, melt butter, and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes if using.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir in Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 3–4 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low and whisk in the Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth.
- Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Stir in reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Return the steak bites to the skillet and toss to combine. Heat for 1–2 more minutes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Ensure steak bites are not overcrowded in the pan to maintain a proper sear.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, richest sauce.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste based on spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg