Description

A creamy and spicy pasta dish featuring perfectly seared beef cubes, Cajun garlic butter sauce, and rigatoni pasta that hugs every drop of flavor. Perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests—this bold and buttery recipe is comfort food with flair.

Ingredients

1 lb rigatoni pasta

1 lb beef sirloin or tenderloin, cubed

1 ½ cups heavy cream

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (plus extra for garnish)

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. In a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Season beef cubes with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Sear until browned on all sides. Remove and let rest.

3. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4. Pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Stir in Cajun seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened.

5. Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.

6. Plate pasta and top with beef cubes. Garnish with parsley and a dash of Cajun seasoning or paprika.

Notes

Let the beef rest after searing to lock in juices before slicing or plating.

Don’t skip whisking the cream sauce to keep it silky and prevent separation.

For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes while simmering the sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Pasta
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 735
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 45g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 125mg

Keywords: creamy cajun pasta, garlic butter pasta, steak pasta, rigatoni, weeknight dinner