Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

Seared to perfection, these garlic butter steak tips dance alongside creamy rigatoni in a comforting plate that promises pure deliciousness.

Melted cheese coats each pasta ridge with rich, velvety goodness.

Tender meat chunks carry bold, smoky flavors that complement the pasta’s smooth texture.

Robust seasonings blend beautifully, creating a harmonious meal that feels both elegant and homey.

Weeknight dinners never looked so impressive with this simple yet stunning combination.

Each forkful brings together succulent proteins and carbohydrate comfort in a way that satisfies deep hunger.

Fall in love with this easy recipe that turns basic ingredients into something spectacular.

FAQs

• What cuts of steak work best for this recipe?

Sirloin, ribeye, or tenderloin tips are perfect for this dish. They offer tender, flavorful meat that sears beautifully and absorbs the garlic butter perfectly.

• Can I use different types of cheese for the sauce?

Yes! While cheddar provides a sharp flavor, you can substitute with gruyere, monterey jack, or a blend of cheeses to customize the taste and creaminess.

• How do I know when the steak tips are perfectly seared?

Look for a golden-brown crust and internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare. The meat should have a nice caramelized exterior while remaining juicy inside.

What Makes Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni Shine

• Conquer Complex Flavors: Perfectly balances rich garlic butter steak with creamy, melted cheese sauce for a gourmet meal that tastes like a restaurant-quality dish.
• Master Quick Weeknight Cooking: Requires minimal ingredients and simple techniques, allowing home cooks to create a delicious dinner in just a few straightforward steps.
• Create Family-Pleasing Comfort Food: Combines protein-packed steak tips with cheesy pasta, making it an irresistible meal that satisfies both kids and adults with its hearty and indulgent profile.
• Elevate Home Cooking Skills: Teaches essential cooking techniques like searing meat, creating smooth cheese sauce, and layering flavors, helping home chefs build culinary confidence.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni

• Steak Tips: Premium beef cuts perfect for creating a rich and hearty main protein for the dish.
• Rigatoni Pasta: Large tube-shaped pasta that holds sauce beautifully and provides a satisfying texture.

• Unsalted Butter, Heavy Cream, Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Create a luxurious and creamy sauce that adds richness and depth to the recipe.

• Minced Garlic, Chopped Parsley, Salt, Pepper: Provide aromatic seasoning and fresh herbal notes to elevate the overall taste of the dish.

• Cooking Oil: Helps in searing the steak tips and preventing sticking to the pan.

How to Cook Garlic Butter Steak and Rigatoni

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in salt and bring to a rolling boil.

Gently drop rigatoni into the bubbling water and cook until tender yet firm. Drain the pasta in a colander, shaking off excess water.

Step 2: Sizzle Steak to Golden Perfection

Heat a heavy skillet with a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place steak tips into the pan.

Let them dance and sear, creating a beautiful golden-brown crust on all sides.

Step 3: Infuse with Garlic Butter Magic

• Unsalted butter
• Freshly minced garlic

Swirl the ingredients together, letting the garlic release its aromatic magic for 1-2 minutes until wonderfully fragrant.

Step 4: Craft Velvety Cheese Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Stir constantly over medium heat until the cheese melts into a silky, smooth sauce.

Step 5: Create Flavor Harmony

Transfer the drained rigatoni into the skillet with seared steak tips.

Pour the luscious cheese sauce over everything. Gently toss until each pasta tube is luxuriously coated.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish. Plate immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up with anticipation.

Helpful Tips to Nail Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni

• Select well-marbled steak tips for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring a juicy and delicious result.
• Pat steak tips dry before cooking to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and creates a rich flavor profile.
• Stir cheese sauce constantly and remove from heat just as it melts to prevent separation or grainy texture.
• Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives just before serving to add brightness and a pop of color to the dish.
• Customize heat by adding red pepper flakes or cracked black pepper to suit individual taste preferences.

Creative Twists for Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace steak tips with firm tofu or tempeh cubes, seasoned and seared similarly for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free rigatoni pasta and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Lighter Cream Sauce: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
• Spicy Herb Kick: Add red pepper flakes and swap parsley for fresh basil or cilantro to create a bolder flavor profile.

Perfect Pairings with Garlic Butter Steak and Rigatoni

Select a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the robust beef and garlic butter flavors, enhancing the steak’s savory profile.

Toss a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish’s richness, adding a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy pasta and hearty steak.

Prepare garlic-roasted Brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots to provide a caramelized, slightly sweet accompaniment that balances the meal’s intense flavors.

Serve warm, rustic sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the delicious cheese sauce and provide a satisfying textural contrast to the tender steak tips.

How to Store Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni Safely

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled dish to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months, preventing freezer burn by removing excess air.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst to distribute heat evenly and maintain pasta's texture.

Garlic Butter Steak Tips With Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling garlic butter steak tips dance with creamy cheesy rigatoni in this irresistible Italian-inspired comfort dish. Savory beef mingles with rich pasta, creating a hearty meal that promises to satisfy your deepest dinner cravings.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound steak tips (sirloin or ribeye)
• 4 cloves fresh garlic (minced)

Dairy:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Pasta and Seasonings:

• 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
• Fresh parsley (chopped)
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and cook rigatoni until perfectly tender with a slight bite, approximately 8-10 minutes; carefully drain and set aside.
2. Select a heavy-bottomed skillet and heat olive oil over robust medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for steak tips.
3. Season steak tips with robust seasoning blend, then strategically place in hot skillet to develop a rich golden-brown exterior, turning periodically for even caramelization.
4. Reduce skillet temperature and introduce unsalted butter with freshly minced garlic, allowing aromatics to release and create a luxurious fragrant coating across the meat.
5. Simultaneously prepare cheese sauce by gently warming heavy cream in a separate saucepan, gradually incorporating shredded cheddar while stirring continuously until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
6. Transfer perfectly cooked rigatoni directly into the steak skillet, allowing pasta to absorb the rich garlic butter essence.
7. Cascade the velvety cheese sauce over the pasta and steak, tenderly tossing to ensure comprehensive coating and harmonious flavor distribution.
8. Finish the dish with a vibrant sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, adding a bright herbal note and visual appeal before presenting to eager diners.

Notes

• Ensure pasta is perfectly al dente by testing a piece 1-2 minutes before package instructions suggest, preventing mushy texture.
• Use high-quality steak tips like sirloin or ribeye for maximum tenderness and rich flavor development.
• Create restaurant-style sear by patting steak completely dry before cooking, allowing golden-brown caramelization without steaming meat.
• Customize cheese sauce by experimenting with sharp white cheddar, gruyère, or fontina for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 900 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 65 g
• Saturated Fat: 35 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg