A perfect combination of tender, juicy steak bites in a rich garlic butter sauce served over creamy, cheesy pasta shells. This dish feels indulgent yet comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites:
· 1.5 lbs (680g) sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
· 6 garlic cloves, minced
· 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For the Creamy Parmesan Shells:
· 8 oz (225g) medium pasta shells
· 2 tablespoons butter
· 3 garlic cloves, minced
· 1 cup heavy cream
· 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
· ½ teaspoon salt
· ¼ teaspoon black pepper
· ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season steak: Pat steak bites dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Sear steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak bites in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to medium-rare or desired doneness. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter, minced garlic, and thyme. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Return steak bites to skillet, toss to coat in garlic butter, and stir in parsley. Remove from heat.
- Prepare creamy Parmesan sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using. If sauce is too thick, thin with reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta shells to the creamy Parmesan sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- Serve: Divide creamy shells among plates and top with garlic butter steak bites. Garnish with additional parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Tips
· Let steak rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking for more even searing.
· Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, creamiest sauce (pre-grated often contains anti-caking agents).
· For extra flavor, deglaze the steak skillet with a splash of red wine or beef broth before adding the butter and garlic.
Enjoy this restaurant-quality meal right at home!