Description
This recipe features tender steak bites paired with shell pasta tossed in a rich and creamy garlic butter Alfredo sauce. The dish combines perfectly seared steak pieces with a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, making it a delicious and satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak Bites
- 12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Pasta
- 8 oz shell pasta
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook shell pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining and setting the pasta aside.
- Season Steak: Pat steak bites dry with paper towels and season generously all over with salt and black pepper.
- Sear Steak Bites: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Transfer the cooked steak to a plate and loosely cover with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked shell pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and spoon the steak bites atop. Drizzle any juices from the plate over the dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use any tender cut of steak such as ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon for best results.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a silky finish.
- Do not overcook the steak to maintain tenderness and juiciness.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though sauce might be less thick.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts best for a smooth sauce compared to pre-grated options.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: steak bites, garlic butter Alfredo sauce, shell pasta, creamy pasta recipe, quick dinner, stovetop recipe
