Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta is a hearty, comforting dinner ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the tender steak bites and creamy Parmesan pasta that will make your family beg for seconds. The trick I discovered is searing the steak at high heat for a perfect crust. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Crockpot Bread Recipe and The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies.
Why This Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan Is Pure Comfort
- Tender steak bites in a rich garlic butter sauce
- Creamy Parmesan pasta that's better than takeout
- Easy to customize with your favorite veggies
- Comforting and satisfying, perfect for busy weeknights
What You'll Need for Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Steak (sirloin or flank)
- Shell pasta
- Butter
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Steak: Sirloin or flank steak works best. Trim excess fat.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- Immersion blender — Easily blend pasta water into creamy sauce → See on Amazon
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan
- Prepare steak: Slice steak into thin strips against the grain. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook steak: Heat butter in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add steak, cook until browned, then remove and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt more butter. Add garlic, cook until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, pasta water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it thicken.
- Combine: Add cooked steak and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine. Stir in Parmesan cheese until creamy. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan
- : Slice steak thinly and against the grain for tender bites.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the steak. Remove it from the skillet when it's still slightly pink in the middle. It will continue to cook from residual heat.
- : Use an immersion blender to easily blend pasta water into the sauce for a creamier texture.
- : Add a splash of white wine to the sauce for extra flavor (optional).
Storing & Reheating Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days Make-ahead tip: Prepare steak and pasta up to a day ahead, combine and cook sauce just before serving
Freezing Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan
Freeze cooked steak bites and uncooked pasta separately for up to 2 months
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure perfect steak doneness (135°F/57°C for medium-rare).
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare steak and pasta up to a day ahead, combine and cook sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit more pasta water or milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Steak (sirloin or flank)
- Shell pasta
- Butter
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
Seasonings
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare steak: Slice steak into thin strips against the grain. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook steak: Heat butter in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add steak, cook until browned, then remove and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt more butter. Add garlic, cook until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, pasta water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it thicken.
- Combine: Add cooked steak and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine. Stir in Parmesan cheese until creamy. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure perfect steak doneness (135°F/57°C for medium-rare).
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare steak and pasta up to a day ahead, combine and cook sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit more pasta water or milk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze cooked steak bites and uncooked pasta separately for up to 2 months
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway
- Make ahead: Prepare steak and pasta up to a day ahead, combine and cook sauce just before serving
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan FAQs
Yes, prepare steak and pasta up to a day ahead. Combine and cook the sauce just before serving.
Ensure you're slicing the steak thinly and against the grain. Also, avoid overcooking it in the skillet.
Yes, sirloin or flank steak work best, but you can also use ribeye or strip steak for a more indulgent meal.
Yes, cook the steak in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, then proceed with the recipe as written.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shell Pasta & Parmesan and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
