Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak Tips
Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Steak Tips is a comforting and indulgent dish featuring perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta coated in a rich, velvety cheese sauce, paired with tender, garlicky butter-seared steak tips. This recipe balances ease and elegance, delivering a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for cozy nights or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Boiling, Stove-top
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains Dairy and Meat
Ingredients
Pasta
- Rigatoni pasta – 12 oz (about 3 cups)
Cheese Sauce
- Cream cheese – 4 oz (room temperature)
- Shredded cheddar cheese – 1 cup
- Heavy cream or whole milk – 1 cup
- Butter – 3 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
Steak Tips
- Steak tips (sirloin or ribeye) – 1 lb
- Garlic cloves, minced – 3 cloves
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped – 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Prepare the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until just al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Set pasta aside.
- Sear the Steak Tips: Pat steak tips dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak tips for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a golden crust but remain medium-rare to medium inside. Remove from skillet and let rest.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Lower heat to medium, add butter to the same skillet, and melt. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden, about 1 minute.
- Create the Cheesy Sauce: Reduce heat to low-medium and stir in cream cheese until fully melted and smooth. Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring constantly. Add shredded cheddar, stirring until melted and sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Combine Pasta and Steak: Toss the drained rigatoni in the cheese sauce to coat evenly. Cut rested steak tips into bite-sized pieces and gently fold them into the cheesy rigatoni. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother, silkier sauce.
- Do not overcook steak tips; medium-rare to medium keeps them tender and juicy.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce as needed; its starch helps sauce cling to pasta.
- Use low to medium heat when melting cheese to avoid curdling or grainy texture.
- Serve immediately for best flavor and creamy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: cheesy rigatoni, steak tips, garlic butter, comfort food, easy dinner, creamy pasta