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Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak

Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak
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Easy Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak is a comforting and indulgent dish featuring perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, accompanied by tender steak seared in fragrant garlic butter. Ready in under an hour, this recipe combines simple ingredients to deliver a flavorful, elegant meal that’s perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta

Steak and Seasoning

  • 1 lb steak (sirloin or ribeye), thinly sliced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Garlic Butter

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese Sauce

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish (optional)

  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Additional grated Parmesan cheese
  • Melted butter (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Rigatoni Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water for thinning the sauce if needed.
  2. Sear the Garlic Butter Steak: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted and sizzling, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Immediately add the steak, seasoned generously with salt and pepper. Sear each side for 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove steak from pan to rest, then slice thinly.
  3. Make the Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Slowly stir in grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese, continuously stirring until melted and smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the drained rigatoni to the pan, tossing gently in the cheesy sauce to coat each piece thoroughly. Add sliced steak on top and mix gently to distribute evenly without breaking the meat apart.
  5. Serve and Garnish: Plate the Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak immediately. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and optionally drizzle with melted butter or sprinkle extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream and cheeses to ensure smooth melting in the sauce.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan when searing steak to get a better crust.
  • Allow steak to rest after cooking for juicy, tender slices.
  • Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick without diluting flavor.
  • Choose freshly grated Parmesan and real mozzarella instead of pre-shredded for best texture and taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy rigatoni, garlic butter steak, creamy pasta, easy dinner, steak pasta recipe, comfort food

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