Description
Creamy, spicy, and deeply savory, this rigatoni dish combines Cajun-spiced steak tips with a velvety Parmesan cream sauce. The ridged pasta holds the sauce beautifully, while charred steak cubes bring bold flavor and tender texture. Perfect for a cozy weeknight meal that feels like restaurant comfort.
Ingredients
1 pound sirloin steak tips, cut into cubes
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
12 ounces rigatoni pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream, warm
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Toss steak tips with paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and thyme.
2. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat.
3. Sear steak tips in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
4. Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until just shy of al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water and drain.
5. In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic and shallot over medium heat.
6. Sprinkle in flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
7. Gradually add warm cream, whisking until thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
8. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan until smooth.
9. Add reserved pasta water to loosen sauce as needed.
10. Toss rigatoni in sauce over low heat for 1–2 minutes.
11. Add steak tips and stir gently to coat.
12. Serve in bowls with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan to avoid grainy sauce.
Let steak tips rest before adding to pasta to keep them juicy.
Reheat gently with milk or water to revive leftovers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, steak pasta, creamy rigatoni