Delicious Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni for Comfort Food Lovers

Ingredients You Need for This:

• 1 lb rigatoni pasta – Go for high-quality durum wheat rigatoni for that perfect al dente bite.
• 12 oz steak (ribeye or sirloin), sliced into bite-sized pieces – The steak is THE star here. Splurge if you want; it’s worth it.
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter – Real butter is non-negotiable to create that rich garlic butter sauce base.
• 5 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh garlic makes all the difference. Skip the jarred stuff for this comfort food pasta game-changer.
• 1 cup heavy cream – This creamy rigatoni recipe relies on heavy cream for that luscious sauce that coats every piece.
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese – It adds a sharp salty pop that makes this garlic butter steak pasta irresistible.
• Salt and black pepper, to taste – Basic but essential for balancing flavors.
• 1 tbsp olive oil – For searing steak perfectly without burning your butter.
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish) – Adds a fresh punch to finish.

Game-changing ingredient: Using heavy cream instead of milk or half-and-half is the secret to epic Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni sauce texture. Plus, fresh Parmesan cheese—the sharpness can’t be matched by pre-grated packs.

Sourcing tip: You’ll find the best ingredients for this Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni at your local butcher (for steak) and farmer’s market (for fresh garlic). The butter? Go real, grass-fed if possible—it makes a noticeable flavor difference in your garlic butter sauce.

Budget-friendly alternative: If ribeye feels too fancy, sirloin or flank steak still deliver bold, beefy flavor for your steak pasta skillet. Use less butter and add a splash of broth if you want to lighten without losing creaminess.

Storage wisdom: Prep your minced garlic and cut steak in advance so your Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni comes together fast on busy nights.

For even more bold flavor adventures, this recipe reminds me of seared tuna steaks with garlic herb butter, where butter and garlic steal the show with juicy proteins.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

This is where your Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni transforms into pure magic. Don’t stress—your dinner is about to be incredible.

1. Cook the rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain but reserve 1/2 cup pasta water for later. This is crucial for loosening the sauce.
2. Sear the steak in a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Cook until browned on all sides but still juicy inside, around 3-4 minutes per side. Then, remove steak and keep warm. Here’s the trick: don’t overcrowd your skillet or the steak will steam, losing that perfect crust.
3. Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic but not burned. This garlic butter sauce is THE flavor base.
4. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Your sauce should be creamy, rich, and glossy—a true hallmark of the Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni.
5. Return steak to skillet, then add drained rigatoni. Toss everything together gently. If the sauce feels too thick, use reserved pasta water a splash at a time to get that perfect cling.
6. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Your kitchen now smells like a flavor fiesta.

In my kitchen, this Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni takes exactly 25-30 minutes from start to finish—fast enough for weeknights but feel-like-a-chef good.

Pro tip for perfection: Don’t overcook the steak here; it’ll become tough. Medium rare to medium is ideal to keep that tender steak pasta skillet joy.

While your Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni is working its magic, grab your camera—this is Instagram gold! For more garlic butter steak pasta ideas, check out this garlic steak bites and potatoes recipe that brings that same bold vibe with a twist.

Presentation:

People absolutely lose their minds when I serve this Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni at dinner parties. It’s the kind of comfort food pasta that looks as good as it tastes.

Plate your rigatoni heaped high with steak bites nestled in a glossy pool of garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for contrast and pop of color.

Bold pairing suggestion: Serve alongside a crisp Caesar salad or roasted Brussels sprouts to cut through the richness with brightness and crunch.

Perfect occasions? This Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni absolutely slays at celebrations like birthdays, date nights, or anytime you want to WOW without stressing.

For Instagram-worthy plating, drizzle a little extra melted butter around the edges of the plate and add a Parmesan shave to elevate that creamy rigatoni recipe vibe.

Leftover slash flavor bomb tip: Turn your next lunch into a Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni skillet scramble by sautéing leftovers with eggs and spinach for breakfast comfort food pasta with a twist.

Seasonal twist tested and loved: Swap steak for grilled shrimp or chicken and throw in sun-dried tomatoes for a summer-ready steak pasta skillet variation that’s just as epic.

If you want an easy shareable flavor hit, this easy garlic butter steak bites with rigatoni recipe nails the same creamy garlic butter sauce magic in a breeze.

FAQs:

Ready to boss your Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni game? Here’s the scoop on common questions I get that will pump your confidence:

• Can I make this Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni spicier? Absolutely. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you sauté garlic in the butter. You’ll get a gentle heat that cuts through the creamy rigatoni recipe richness like a pro.
• What if I don’t have heavy cream? Swap with half-and-half mixed with cream cheese or mascarpone. It thickens sauce well but doesn’t lose that garlic butter sauce lushness. Avoid whole milk alone or the sauce thins out too much.
• How do I know when my steak is perfectly cooked for this garlic butter steak pasta? Medium rare is ideal—pink center but seared outside. Use a meat thermometer (130-135°F) or press test for firmness.
• Can I prepare this ahead? Yes! Cook pasta and sear steak early; reheat gently with cream and garlic butter sauce. Do not boil pasta again to keep that perfect al dente.
• Can I freeze leftovers? Creamy sauces lose texture when frozen, but you can freeze the steak and pasta separately. Reheat and remake the garlic butter sauce fresh for best results.
• Is this recipe good for meal prep? Perfect! Just store components separately and toss together in minutes for bold flavor adventures all week.
• Any vegetarian version? Swap steak for sautéed mushrooms and add spinach for earthy flavor that rocks the creamy rigatoni recipe.

This community seriously loves how my Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni turns simple ingredients into a flavor bomb. You will, too! If this recipe rocks your world, you NEED to try other flavor-packed bowls like my Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta for a cozy twist.

Conclusion:

This Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni is everything Cuba Queen stands for: merging bold bold flavors with home-friendly technique to create meals that spark joy and flavor fireworks.

My Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni Power Tips:

• Use fresh garlic and quality butter—this combo makes your garlic butter sauce sing.
• Don’t skip the reserved pasta water; it’s magic for silky sauce consistency.
• Sear steak just right—medium rare = maximum tenderness.

I’ve whipped up versions swapping steak for shrimp, chicken, and even a spicy chipotle twist. The all-steak original gets the biggest wow factor every time.

Make this Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni your signature dish and watch every dinner become a celebration. You’ve got the recipe, the confidence, and the flavor know-how to nail it.

Let’s create those unforgettable Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni memories together. Share your results with me for bonus flavor kudos and keep the bold flavor adventures rolling!

Oh, and before you dive in, check out this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Steak Pasta—it’s a flavor cousin that’s worth every bite.

Ready to rock your next meal? Your Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni is waiting. Let’s eat boldly!

Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni

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Savor a rich and hearty Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Rigatoni, featuring tender steak bites tossed in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce over perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta.

• Author: Quinn
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta
• 1 lb sirloin steak, sliced into strips
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Season steak strips with salt and pepper.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add steak strips and cook 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked to desired doneness. Remove steak and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons butter. Add minced garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce begins to thicken.
6. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and stir until melted and sauce is smooth.
7. Return steak to skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Add cooked rigatoni and mix until pasta is well coated.
8. Season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
9. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

For added freshness, serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad. You can also swap sirloin for ribeye or filet mignon for a richer flavor.