Description

A rich and satisfying dish featuring tender steak bites seared to perfection and served over shell pasta coated in a creamy garlic butter Alfredo sauce. This recipe combines the savory flavors of juicy steak with a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, making for a comforting and elegant meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Steak Bites

12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Pasta

8 oz shell pasta

Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
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 the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Season the Steak Bites: Pat the steak pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavors and promote a good sear.
Sear the Steak Bites: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak pieces in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a browned crust and are cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the steak bites from the skillet, transfer to a plate, and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce: Lower the skillet heat to medium and add the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Make the Alfredo Sauce: Slowly pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked shell pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat the pasta evenly with the Alfredo sauce. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Serve: Plate the creamy pasta and top with the warm steak bites along with any juices from the plate. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Use a high-quality steak such as ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon for the best flavor and tenderness.
Be careful not to overcook the steak bites; they cook quickly and will continue to cook slightly after removing from heat.
If you want a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of reserved pasta water or cook the sauce a bit longer before adding pasta.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated and results in a smoother sauce.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: steak bites, shell pasta, garlic butter Alfredo sauce, creamy pasta, quick dinner, skillet steak, Parmesan cream sauce