This hearty and flavorful dish is a dream come true for steak and pasta lovers alike. The rich, velvety rigatoni is smothered in a luxurious three-cheese sauce that blends mozzarella, Parmesan, and sharp white cheddar for an irresistibly creamy base. Topped with sizzling garlic butter steak tips, this fusion delivers restaurant-quality flavor right from your own kitchen. The combination of savory seared meat with velvety pasta makes each bite deeply satisfying and indulgent.
Ideal for weeknight dinners, dinner parties, or a comforting weekend indulgence, this recipe is versatile and incredibly crowd-pleasing. The garlic butter elevates the flavor of the steak, while the cheesy pasta wraps it all up in creamy perfection. You can easily customize the heat by adjusting the red pepper flakes or toss in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach for an extra layer of goodness. From the first bite to the last forkful, this is comfort food at its finest.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1½ lbs sirloin steak tips, cut into bite-size chunks
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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3 tablespoons olive oil
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5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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12 oz rigatoni pasta
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1 cup heavy cream
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1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ cup shredded sharp white cheddar
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¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
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Season steak tips generously with salt and black pepper.
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Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak tips in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt 3 tablespoons butter. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Return steak tips to skillet and coat with garlic butter. Remove from heat and set aside.
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In a large pot of salted water, cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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In the same pot, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in heavy cream, then gradually mix in mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
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Fold cooked rigatoni into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
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Serve the cheesy rigatoni in bowls topped with garlic butter steak tips and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 725 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Why This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Is a Must-Try Recipe
This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni dish represents the perfect union between indulgence and simplicity—a combination that makes it not just a meal, but an experience. With its rich layers of flavor, tender cuts of beef, and creamy, cheese-laden pasta, this recipe satisfies both the carnivore and comfort food enthusiast in one swoop. The dish draws inspiration from Italian-American cooking but adds a bold, buttery twist with perfectly seared steak tips coated in garlic and herbs. It’s the kind of dish that brings warmth to your table and excitement to your taste buds.
Background and Culinary Inspiration
The concept of pairing steak with pasta isn’t new, but the execution of it with garlic butter and a luscious three-cheese rigatoni takes this classic duo to a new level. Garlic butter steak tips, known for their tenderness and robust flavor, are a popular American steakhouse favorite, often served with potatoes or rice. However, this recipe fuses that tradition with the richness of a pasta dish, inspired by Italian comfort food like alfredo or mac and cheese. The use of rigatoni—a pasta shape known for its ridges and tube-like structure—makes it ideal for holding onto the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring that every bite is coated with savory goodness.
This recipe celebrates everything we love about home-cooked meals: bold flavor, cozy textures, and a touch of indulgence without being overly complicated. It’s elegant enough to serve at a dinner party, but comforting and easy enough for a weeknight family meal.
Why This Recipe Is the Best
There are countless pasta and steak recipes, but what sets this one apart is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The garlic butter steak tips are juicy, tender, and packed with umami from the searing process and the aromatic garlic-infused butter. Meanwhile, the rigatoni is coated in a luxuriously creamy sauce made with mozzarella, Parmesan, and sharp white cheddar. Each cheese plays a distinct role: mozzarella adds stretch and creaminess, Parmesan gives a salty bite, and cheddar brings bold depth.
Another benefit of this dish is its adaptability. You can switch out the cheeses to fit your preference or use a different cut of steak, like ribeye or flank. You can even add vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted cherry tomatoes for more nutrition and color.
Health and Nutritional Benefits
While this isn’t a low-calorie meal by any means, it does offer several nutritional advantages:
- High in Protein: The steak provides a substantial amount of protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and satiety.
- Calcium-Rich: Thanks to the cheese, each serving contributes a good dose of calcium for bone health.
- Energy-Dense Carbs: Rigatoni offers complex carbohydrates, fueling the body with lasting energy, especially for active families or those needing a hearty dinner.
- Healthy Fats: Using butter and olive oil provides healthy fats that can aid in nutrient absorption and hormone balance.
Additionally, homemade versions of comfort food like this one are always healthier than restaurant alternatives because you control the ingredients—no preservatives, no processed fillers, and an opportunity to use organic or grass-fed meat and dairy.
Perfect For Every Occasion
This dish is versatile enough to suit various occasions. For example:
- Date Night at Home: Serve with a glass of red wine and a simple salad for a restaurant-worthy experience.
- Family Dinner: A kid-friendly hit with cheesy pasta and flavorful steak that the whole family will love.
- Meal Prep: While best fresh, both the steak tips and the pasta reheat well, making it a practical meal for lunches or busy weeknights.
Whether you’re entertaining guests or treating yourself after a long day, this meal is a sure way to deliver comfort and satisfaction.
Tips for Best Results
- Use Room Temperature Steak: This helps ensure even cooking and better browning.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Searing the steak in batches if needed will ensure a nice crust rather than steaming the meat.
- Salt Your Pasta Water Generously: This ensures that the rigatoni has flavor before it even meets the cheese sauce.
- Low and Slow Cheese Sauce: Avoid high heat when making the cheese sauce to prevent the dairy from separating.
Make It Your Own
You can easily personalize this dish:
- Add caramelized onions or sautéed mushrooms for extra umami.
- Stir in baby spinach or peas at the end for a pop of green and added nutrition.
- Swap the steak for chicken or shrimp if preferred.
- Use gluten-free rigatoni and thickening agents if you’re catering to dietary restrictions.
How to Serve
Presentation matters—especially with a dish this stunning. Plate the creamy rigatoni in a wide, shallow bowl and top with glistening steak tips. A sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives, a drizzle of garlic butter from the skillet, and a crack of black pepper finish the dish beautifully. Serve with crusty bread, a fresh salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni is the kind of dish that becomes a staple in your dinner rotation. It’s rich, comforting, and crowd-pleasing while remaining flexible enough to tweak and make your own. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a family, this dish delivers bold flavors, creamy textures, and the kind of satisfaction only a home-cooked meal can offer. It’s one of those recipes that reminds us why we love to cook in the first place—to bring joy, comfort, and flavor to the people we care about.
Let this dish be your go-to when you want something that feels a little fancy but is truly easy to pull together. It’s indulgence done right—and it might just become your new favorite.