Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan Sauce Recipe
A flavorful and creamy dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned steak tips paired with rigatoni pasta smothered in a rich, cheesy Parmesan sauce. This recipe balances the bold flavors of Cajun spices with a luscious cream sauce, making it a perfect comforting meal ready in just 35 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Steak
- 1 lb steak tips (sirloin or ribeye), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter (divided)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pasta
- 10 oz rigatoni pasta
- Salt (for boiling water)
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Fontina cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Sear the Steak: Season the steak tips evenly with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the steak tips and sear them until browned on all sides, which should take a few minutes. Remove the steak tips from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water to use for the sauce if needed.
- Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet used for the steak, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer on medium heat.
- Add the Cheese: Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the cream. If using, add the shredded mozzarella or Fontina cheese at this stage, stirring until melted. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Combine: Toss the cooked rigatoni into the skillet with the sauce. Add the reserved pasta water gradually to achieve your desired sauce consistency, stirring to coat the pasta evenly. Gently fold in the seared steak tips, allowing the flavors to meld together over low heat for a minute.
- Serve: Plate the Cajun steak tips with cheesy rigatoni immediately. Garnish with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper for an added burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use sirloin or ribeye steak tips for the best tenderness and flavor.
- The amount of Cajun seasoning can be adjusted based on your preferred spice level.
- Reserving pasta water helps to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Substitute mozzarella with Fontina for a slightly different cheese profile.
- This recipe can be made ahead by prepping the sauce and pasta separately, then combining and reheating gently before serving.
