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Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Pasta – Easy One-Pot Spicy Dinner Recipe

creamy garlic butter steak pasta - featured image

This creamy garlic butter steak pasta is a spicy, one-pot comfort meal featuring juicy steak, tender pasta, and a rich, garlicky sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and sure to impress with bold flavors and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb sirloin steak (or ribeye/strip steak), sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • Kosher salt, to season
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to season
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 3 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced or smashed
  • 12 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • Salt, to taste
  • Ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat steak dry and slice into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes). Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Add steak pieces in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove steak to a plate; do not wipe out the pan.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant. Add red pepper flakes and cook for another 30 seconds.
  4. Pour in pasta and 3 cups water (or beef broth). Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, until pasta is tender but not mushy. Add more water if needed.
  5. If pasta sticks, scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon. If sauce thickens too much before pasta is done, add water 1/4 cup at a time.
  6. Once pasta is al dente, reduce heat to low. Stir in remaining 2 tbsp butter, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan. Mix until cheese melts and sauce is silky. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Add more cream or water if sauce is too thick.
  7. Return steak and any juices to the pan. Toss gently to coat steak and pasta in creamy sauce. Let everything simmer together for 2-3 minutes.
  8. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately, straight from the pot.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, swap heavy cream for coconut cream and use vegan butter and Parmesan. Sear steak in batches if pan is small. Add Parmesan off the heat for a smooth sauce. Adjust red pepper flakes to taste. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: steak pasta, creamy garlic butter, one-pot dinner, spicy pasta, weeknight meal, comfort food, easy recipe, family dinner, gluten-free option, dairy-free option