The combination of perfectly cooked steak tips coated in a luscious garlic butter sauce, paired with creamy rigatoni, makes for a mouthwatering dish that’s as indulgent as it is satisfying.
With tender steak, flavorful garlic, and a creamy sauce that clings to every piece of pasta, this dish is sure to impress. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home or a special gathering with friends, it combines rich flavors and comforting textures. The dish is not only visually appealing but also an absolute treat for the taste buds.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 lb steak tips
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2 tablespoons butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 cup beef broth
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
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Salt and pepper to taste
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8 oz rigatoni pasta
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1/2 cup onion, diced
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1 tablespoon garlic, minced
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1/4 cup white wine (optional)
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2 tablespoons butter (for pasta sauce)
Directions:
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add steak tips, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove steak tips and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
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Pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
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Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine. Simmer for another 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
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Meanwhile, cook rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
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Return the steak tips to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce and stir to coat. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
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Toss the cooked rigatoni into the skillet with the steak and sauce. Stir well to combine and coat the pasta.
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Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 550 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Appeal of Steak and Pasta Together
Steak and pasta are two classic comfort foods that many people love. Individually, each has a unique appeal—steak is hearty, satisfying, and full of rich flavor, while pasta is versatile and can be made with endless combinations of sauces. But when paired together, steak and pasta create a perfect harmony. The texture contrast between the juicy, tender steak and the smooth, creamy pasta is incredible, and the flavors complement each other beautifully.
The garlic butter sauce in this dish ties everything together, making the combination even more delicious. It’s rich and savory with just the right amount of garlic to elevate the flavor profile without overpowering the other ingredients. The creamy rigatoni absorbs the sauce, making each bite flavorful and comforting. Whether you’re a steak lover, a pasta enthusiast, or both, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
A Hearty and Satisfying Meal
One of the main reasons why this Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Creamy Rigatoni recipe is so popular is that it’s a hearty, satisfying meal. Steak tips are smaller cuts of beef, which makes them easy to cook quickly while still delivering all the rich, beefy flavor. Combined with the creamy rigatoni, this dish feels filling without being overly heavy.
What makes this recipe stand out is its versatility. While steak and pasta are great on their own, they shine even brighter when paired with the garlic butter sauce. The sauce coats both the steak and pasta, adding a luxurious texture and a burst of flavor in every bite. The creaminess of the sauce blends perfectly with the richness of the beef, and the garlic brings an aromatic depth to the dish that’s irresistible.
A Perfect Dish for Any Occasion
This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Creamy Rigatoni is not only a fantastic weeknight dinner, but it’s also a perfect choice for special occasions. The rich flavors and elegant presentation make it a great dish to serve at dinner parties, family gatherings, or even a romantic evening. It’s a crowd-pleaser that will impress your guests, and the best part is that it doesn’t require hours of prep time.
You can easily customize the recipe to suit your preferences or dietary needs. For example, you can use a different cut of steak or opt for a gluten-free pasta to make it suitable for various dietary restrictions. If you want to add extra veggies or spice it up with some red pepper flakes, this dish is adaptable and can be tweaked to your liking.
The Garlic Butter Sauce: The Secret Ingredient
The key to making this dish truly special is the garlic butter sauce. It’s simple to make yet full of flavor. The butter serves as the base, giving the sauce its richness, while garlic adds depth and aroma. The beef broth and heavy cream bring the sauce together, creating a silky texture that coats both the steak and pasta beautifully.
Adding Parmesan cheese to the sauce gives it a slight tang and enhances the creamy texture. The sauce is both luxurious and comforting, and it’s what makes this recipe stand out. It’s the kind of sauce you’ll want to slather over everything, and you’ll find yourself dipping your steak or pasta into it for extra flavor.
The Perfect Pairing: Steak Tips and Rigatoni
Rigatoni pasta is an excellent choice for this dish because of its ridges and tube-like shape, which helps trap the creamy sauce. Unlike smoother pasta shapes like spaghetti, rigatoni has a sturdy texture that holds up well against hearty ingredients like steak. When combined with the garlic butter sauce, the rigatoni becomes a perfect vehicle for soaking up all that delicious flavor.
The steak tips, on the other hand, are tender and juicy, making them the perfect protein to pair with the pasta. They are cooked quickly, which helps retain their tenderness while ensuring that they stay flavorful. Cutting the steak into small pieces helps them blend seamlessly with the rigatoni, creating a balanced dish where every bite is a perfect combination of steak, pasta, and sauce.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Creamy Rigatoni
This dish is filling and satisfying on its own, but if you’re looking to round out the meal, there are a few side dishes that pair well with it. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a fresh contrast to the richness of the pasta and steak. Roasted vegetables, such as asparagus or broccoli, are also great options to add a healthy, flavorful element to the meal.
For drinks, consider pairing this dish with a full-bodied red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, which complements the richness of the steak. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, sparkling water or a citrusy lemonade can provide a refreshing balance to the creamy dish.
Making the Dish Your Own
One of the best things about Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Creamy Rigatoni is how easily it can be adapted to suit your taste. For instance, if you’re a fan of heat, you can sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the garlic butter sauce. If you prefer a different cut of steak, you can substitute sirloin, flank steak, or ribeye for the steak tips, as they all provide great flavor and tenderness.
You can also experiment with different herbs to enhance the flavor of the sauce. Fresh thyme or rosemary would make excellent additions, adding a touch of earthiness to the dish. If you want to make it a more indulgent treat, you can stir in a little bit of truffle oil or top the dish with extra cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Creamy Rigatoni is an incredibly satisfying and flavorful dish that combines the best of both steak and pasta. The garlic butter sauce is the star of the show, providing a rich, creamy base that complements the tender steak and hearty rigatoni. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, entertaining guests, or simply craving a comforting meal, this dish is sure to be a hit.
Its versatility and ease of preparation make it a go-to recipe for any occasion, and the combination of flavors is simply irresistible. If you haven’t yet tried this dish, now is the perfect time to give it a go and treat yourself to a meal that’s both luxurious and comforting.