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Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan Sauce

Tender Cajun-seasoned steak tips tossed with rigatoni in a creamy, cheesy parmesan sauce. Bold, rich, spicy, and irresistibly comforting.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Dinner, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

Steak Tips
  • 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak cut into tips
  • 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
Rigatoni
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Cheesy Parmesan Sauce
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk or half-and-half
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 0.5 cup pasta water or broth
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice or white wine optional
Finishing
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Pot for pasta
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Cook rigatoni until al dente and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Season steak tips with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear steak tips until browned. Remove and set aside.
  4. Melt butter in the skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant.
  5. Stir in smoked paprika and onion powder.
  6. Add heavy cream, milk, and parmesan, stirring until melted.
  7. Add pasta water to thin sauce as needed.
  8. Add rigatoni and steak tips back to the skillet. Toss to combine.
  9. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, add 3 oz cream cheese.