Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak Tips
Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak Tips is a comforting and indulgent dish featuring tender steak tips cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, combined with rigatoni pasta coated in a creamy, melty cheese blend. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe balances bold savory flavors and luxurious textures in an easy-to-make, versatile meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing and stovetop cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Steak and Sauce
- 1 lb steak tips (sirloin or ribeye recommended)
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Finishing and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the steak tips: Season the steak tips generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the steak tips until browned on all sides and cooked to your liking (preferably medium-rare to medium). Remove steak from the pan and keep warm.
- Make the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter and sauté freshly minced garlic until fragrant but not burnt. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine cheese and pasta: Lower the heat and stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses until melted and silky. Toss the cooked rigatoni into the sauce, ensuring every piece is evenly coated in the cheesy garlic butter mixture.
- Bring it all together: Add the steak tips back to the skillet with the pasta and gently combine. Finish with freshly chopped parsley, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Use quality steak tips like sirloin or ribeye for tender, juicy results.
- Do not overcook the steak; medium-rare to medium is ideal to keep it succulent.
- Fresh garlic delivers more vibrant flavor than pre-minced garlic.
- Reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if needed for extra silkiness.
- Grate cheese fresh for the best melting texture and flavor.
- Let steak tips rest briefly after cooking to lock in juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: cheesy rigatoni, garlic butter steak tips, creamy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, steak pasta recipe