There’s something irresistibly bold about Cajun flavors, especially when they meet juicy steak tips and a rich cheesy parmesan sauce. This dish brings restaurant-quality comfort food right to your dinner table in just under 30 minutes. It’s savory, spicy, creamy, and packed with layers of flavor that make it a standout pasta meal for weeknights or casual dinner parties.

Whether you’re a fan of zesty Southern spices or creamy pasta dishes, this recipe is a perfect fusion of both. The Cajun seasoning caramelizes beautifully on the steak bites, while the cheese sauce hugs every twist of penne pasta, making each bite indulgent yet satisfyingly hearty.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the cooking, it’s important to have the right tools on hand:

Cast Iron Skillet or Heavy Pan: For the perfect sear on your steak tips, a heavy-bottomed skillet holds heat evenly and gives those delicious browned edges.
Large Pot: You’ll need this to boil your penne to al dente. Make sure it’s spacious to avoid sticky pasta.
Tongs: These are ideal for flipping steak tips quickly and efficiently without losing juices.

Whisk: Essential for making a smooth, lump-free cheesy parmesan sauce.
Colander: To quickly drain the cooked pasta without overcooking.
Sharp Knife & Cutting Board: For cutting the steak into bite-sized tips and chopping herbs if you’re adding a garnish.

With these tools, you’ll breeze through prep and cooking while ensuring the textures and flavors come together exactly how they should.

Ingredients for the Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Penne Parmesan Sauce

Each ingredient in this dish has a purpose—to deliver bold flavor, creamy texture, and the perfect bite.

Steak (sirloin or ribeye, cut into tips): The star of the dish. Choose a tender cut that sears well and absorbs seasoning.

Cajun Seasoning: Adds a spicy, smoky depth that defines the dish. You can use store-bought or make your own blend.
Penne Pasta: Holds onto the cheese sauce perfectly with its ridged surface and hollow center.
Heavy Cream: Forms the rich base of the sauce, making it luscious and smooth.

Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated): Melts into the cream to create a savory, umami-packed sauce.
Butter: Adds silkiness to the sauce and helps sear the steak.
Garlic (minced): Gives aromatic depth and balances the spice with warmth.

Olive Oil: Helps develop the steak’s crust and keeps it juicy inside.
Salt & Black Pepper: Simple seasoning to enhance all the main flavors.
Fresh Basil or Parsley (optional garnish): Brightens the final dish with a fresh, herby note.

How To Make the Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Penne Parmesan Sauce

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Cut your steak into bite-sized pieces, mince your garlic, and grate your parmesan cheese. Bring a pot of water to boil and salt it generously.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Add penne to the boiling water and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Sear the Steak Tips

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and butter. Toss the steak tips in Cajun seasoning and sear them in the hot skillet, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Make the Cheesy Parmesan Sauce

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add a bit more butter. Sauté garlic for about 30 seconds. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in the parmesan until melted and creamy.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Return the steak tips to the pan, stir gently, and let everything warm through for 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve

Top with fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous finish. Serve hot and enjoy every flavorful forkful.

How to Serve and Store Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Penne Parmesan Sauce

This dish is best served immediately while the sauce is hot and creamy. Plate the penne and steak tips together in shallow bowls to catch every bit of that luscious sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs or even a sprinkle of red chili flakes for extra kick. Pair it with crusty bread or a light salad for a well-balanced meal.

To store leftovers, let everything cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, use a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can dry out the steak and thicken the sauce too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

How spicy is this dish?

The Cajun seasoning does bring a bit of heat, but it’s balanced by the creamy parmesan sauce. You can adjust the spice level by using more or less Cajun seasoning to suit your taste.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes! While penne is great for holding onto the sauce, other shapes like rotini, rigatoni, or even fettuccine work well too.

What steak cut works best?

Sirloin is a great middle-ground cut that stays juicy and tender. Ribeye offers even more flavor due to its marbling, but skirt steak can also be used if sliced thinly.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prep the sauce and cook the pasta ahead, but for the best texture and flavor, sear the steak tips just before serving.

Is there a dairy-free version?

You can swap the cream for unsweetened coconut milk and use a dairy-free cheese alternative, though the flavor and richness will change slightly.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free pasta, and double-check that your Cajun seasoning is gluten-free too.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you love these Cajun steak tips in cheesy penne, you’ll probably enjoy these other flavor-packed pasta favorites from Life With Olivia:

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini in Parmesan Sauce for a garlicky comfort dish.
One Skillet Spicy Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta when you’re craving sweet heat in one pan.
Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells if you want something vegetarian and oven-baked.

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese when indulgence is the goal.
Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini for a sweet-savory twist.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time: Life With Olivia on Pinterest.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use ribeye or sirloin? Add mushrooms or keep it classic?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook smarter and tastier meals.

Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Penne Parmesan Sauce

Author: Olivia McKenney

Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

These Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Penne Parmesan Sauce are the perfect fusion of bold spice and creamy comfort. Seared steak bites seasoned with Cajun heat are folded into a velvety parmesan cheese sauce and tossed with penne pasta for a quick, irresistible meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers!

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.

2. While the pasta cooks, cut the steak into bite-sized tips and toss in Cajun seasoning until well coated.

3. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.

4. Sear the steak tips for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.

5. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds.

6. Reduce heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.

7. Gradually whisk in the parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy.

8. Add cooked penne to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce.

9. Return steak tips to the pan and gently mix to combine.

10. Serve hot, topped with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in 1 tablespoon of cream cheese with the parmesan.

Use freshly grated parmesan—not the shelf-stable kind—for best melting results.

Let steak rest a minute after searing to retain juices before adding back into the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stove-Top

Cuisine: American-Cajun Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 610

Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 35g

Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g

Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 40g

Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: Cajun steak pasta, creamy parmesan penne, quick dinner, spicy steak bites