Cajun Steak Tips with Rigatoni in Creamy Parmesan Cheddar-Cajun Sauce
Ingredients:
1 ½ lbs sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into steak tips
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced (divided)
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
12 oz rigatoni pasta
2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
4 oz cream cheese (optional, for extra richness)
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened. Lower the heat and whisk in the cheddar, Parmesan, and cream cheese until melted into a creamy sauce. Season with Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Stir in the rigatoni, coating every piece in the sauce. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
3. Pat the steak tips dry with paper towels. Season generously with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the steak tips in a single layer and sear for 2–3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your liking. Reduce the heat slightly, add 3 tablespoons of butter and the remaining garlic, and toss the steak tips in the garlic butter for another 1–2 minutes, spooning the butter over the meat as it cooks.
4. Serve the creamy Cajun rigatoni alongside the juicy garlic butter steak tips. Spoon extra garlic butter from the pan over the steak and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: ~860 per serving