Garlic Butter Beef & Sun-Dried Tomato Linguine with Mozzarella
Ingredients:
1 pound linguine pasta
1.5 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup beef broth
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into bite-sized cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
1 lemon, cut into wedges, for serving
Directions:
1. Get that pasta going! Cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. While the pasta cooks, let's get the beef ready. Season the sirloin pieces with salt and pepper.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides and cooked to your liking (about 5-7 minutes for medium). Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and beef broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss to coat. If the pasta seems dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
7. Stir in the cooked beef, chopped basil, and Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to combine.
8. Remove the skillet from the heat and gently stir in the fresh mozzarella cubes. The heat from the pasta will soften the mozzarella without completely melting it.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Offer lemon wedges on the side for a little zing!
Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4-6 | Calories: Approximately 650 per serving