Steak Bites and Shell Pasta in Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Delicious steak bites served over shell pasta tossed in a rich and creamy garlic butter Alfredo sauce, perfect for a hearty dinner that’s quick to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Steak and Pasta
- 12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz shell pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shell pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- Prepare the Steak Bites: Pat steak bites dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the Steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to desired doneness. Remove steak bites from skillet and transfer to a plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add unsalted butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until garlic is fragrant and slightly golden.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add cooked shell pasta into the skillet with Alfredo sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pasta and top with steak bites along with any juices that accumulated on the plate. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting consistency.
- Patting the steak dry before searing ensures a better crust and browning.
- You can substitute shell pasta with any short pasta like penne or fusilli.
- Adjust the seasoning in the sauce cautiously since both Parmesan and pasta water add saltiness.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
Keywords: steak bites, shell pasta, garlic butter, Alfredo sauce, creamy pasta, quick dinner, skillet meal
