Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish hits all the right notes.
It’s:
- Quick and easy
- High protein
- Super flavorful
- Restaurant quality
- Family friendly
- Perfect for dinner or special occasions
Plus, steak + pasta = always a winning combo.
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites
- 1.5 lbs (700g) sirloin or ribeye steak
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Italian seasoning or parsley
Optional:
- Chili flakes
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Extra cheese
Choose the Right Steak
Good steak makes a big difference.
Best cuts:
- Sirloin (budget-friendly and tender)
- Ribeye (extra juicy and rich)
- Strip steak
Avoid tough cuts like chuck or stew meat.
Cut steak into bite-sized cubes so they cook quickly and evenly.
Pat them dry before cooking — this helps get a perfect sear.
Cook the Pasta First
Start with the pasta.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente according to package instructions.
Don’t overcook. Slight firmness is best because it will cook more in the sauce later.
Drain and set aside.
Save 1/2 cup pasta water just in case you need to thin the sauce.
Season the Steak Bites
While pasta cooks, season the steak.
In a bowl, toss steak cubes with:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
Simple seasoning keeps the beef flavor strong.
Let sit for 5–10 minutes.
Sear the Steak Perfectly
This step creates that beautiful golden crust.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat.
Add steak cubes in one layer. Do NOT overcrowd.
Cook 2–3 minutes without moving to get a deep brown sear.
Flip and cook another 1–2 minutes.
Remove and set aside.
Work in batches if needed.
Overcrowding causes steaming instead of searing.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same pan, reduce heat to medium.
Add butter and minced garlic.
Cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
Return steak bites to the pan and toss in garlic butter.
Sprinkle fresh parsley.
The steak will soak up all that buttery garlic flavor.
Smells incredible at this point.
Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
In another pan, melt butter.
Add garlic and sauté gently.
Pour in heavy cream and milk.
Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add parmesan cheese slowly while stirring.
The sauce becomes smooth, thick, and creamy.
Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
If too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add drained pasta directly into the sauce.
Toss until every spiral is coated.
Let simmer 1–2 minutes so pasta absorbs flavor.
The texture should be creamy and silky — not watery.
Assemble the Plate
Plate the creamy pasta first.
Top or serve alongside the steak bites.
Drizzle extra garlic butter from the pan over everything.
Finish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan.
Boom. Steakhouse at home.
Texture Tips
For extra juicy steak
Don’t overcook — medium or medium-rare is best.
For thicker sauce
Add more cheese.
For lighter sauce
Use half-and-half instead of cream.
For extra flavor
Add mushrooms or onions to the steak pan.
Flavor Variations
You can easily customize.
Spicy Version
Add chili flakes or hot sauce.
Mushroom Steak Pasta
Cook mushrooms with garlic butter.
Cajun Style
Add Cajun seasoning.
Cheesy Explosion
Mix mozzarella with parmesan.
Healthy Option
Use whole wheat pasta and less cream.
Each variation tastes amazing.
Storage Tips
Fridge: 3–4 days
Reheat gently with a splash of milk
Steak reheats best in a skillet, not microwave.
Cream sauce thickens when cold — just loosen with milk.
Serving Ideas
Pair with:
- Garlic bread
- Green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Lemon soda or iced tea
Perfect for:
- Family dinner
- Date night
- Weekend comfort meal
- Meal prep
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcooking steak
Gets chewy
Too much pasta water
Makes sauce thin
Low heat searing
No crust forms
Pre-grated cheese
Doesn’t melt smoothly
Fresh cheese always works better.
Final Thoughts
This garlic butter steak bites with creamy parmesan pasta recipe is pure comfort on a plate. Tender beef, buttery garlic, cheesy cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta — every bite feels indulgent and satisfying.