Sink your fork into the boldest comfort food combo you didn’t know you needed. This dish brings together tender, garlicky Cajun-rubbed steak with a swirl of creamy rigatoni coated in rich cheese sauce. It’s indulgent, flavorful, and delivers that perfect balance between heat and creaminess that keeps everyone at the table coming back for more.

Whether you’re celebrating a weekend win or craving something extra on a Tuesday night, this recipe is your new go-to. It plates beautifully for guests but is easy enough to whip up for a cozy dinner. And that garlic butter seeping into every bite of charred steak? Let’s just say you might not go back to plain steak again.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before jumping into the cooking process, gather your tools to streamline the steps:

Cast Iron Skillet or Grill Pan: For a perfectly seared steak with that smoky char and caramelization.
Large Saucepan or Dutch Oven: Needed for boiling the rigatoni and preparing the cheese sauce.
Sharp Chef’s Knife: Essential for slicing the cooked steak cleanly.

Whisk: Helps ensure your creamy sauce stays lump-free and velvety smooth.
Meat Thermometer: Key for getting the steak to your preferred doneness without guessing.

Each tool is chosen to make this dish easier, more efficient, and most importantly—tastier. The skillet creates that iconic crust, while the saucepan ensures your pasta is cooked to a creamy dream. Trust your tools, and you’ll be savoring every bite soon enough.

Ingredients for the Cheesy Cajun Garlic Butter Steak with Creamy Rigatoni

Ribeye or NY Strip Steak: Rich and marbled for a juicy, flavorful bite. Holds up beautifully to high-heat searing.
Cajun Seasoning: Provides that bold Southern kick with paprika, garlic, onion, and herbs.
Salted Butter: Forms the base of the garlic butter and brings richness to both steak and sauce.

Fresh Garlic (minced): Intensifies the savory depth in both steak and creamy pasta.
Rigatoni Pasta: Its ridges and tube shape are perfect for catching every drop of that cheesy sauce.
Heavy Cream: The creamy foundation for the sauce, making it luscious and satisfying.

Parmesan & Mozzarella Cheese: Melt beautifully into the sauce for sharp and gooey layers of flavor.
Parsley (optional): Fresh, chopped garnish that brightens the dish and adds visual appeal.
Olive Oil: Helps sear the steak to golden-brown perfection.

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Adds extra heat for spice lovers.

How To Make the Cheesy Cajun Garlic Butter Steak with Creamy Rigatoni

Step 1: Season & Sear the Steak

Pat the steak dry and generously rub with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat, then sear the steak 3–4 minutes per side or until it reaches your desired doneness. Add butter and garlic in the last minute to baste. Let rest before slicing.

Step 2: Cook the Rigatoni

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in parmesan and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 4: Combine Pasta & Sauce

Toss the cooked rigatoni into the cheese sauce, making sure every tube is coated. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to thin the sauce to your liking.

Step 5: Plate and Garnish

Slice the rested steak against the grain. Plate alongside the creamy rigatoni and spoon over some extra garlic butter from the pan. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

How to Serve and Store Cheesy Cajun Garlic Butter Steak with Creamy Rigatoni

Serve this dish immediately after plating to enjoy the steak at peak juiciness and the pasta at its creamiest. Pair it with a crisp Caesar salad or roasted green beans for a balanced meal. A chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon pairs beautifully with the richness of this dish.

For leftovers, store the pasta and steak separately in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat pasta gently on the stove with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce. Reheat steak in a skillet over low heat or slice thin and enjoy cold over salad for a next-day twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of steak?

Yes! Sirloin or filet can be used, though ribeye or NY strip delivers the best marbling and flavor.

Is there a dairy-free version of the sauce?

You can substitute with unsweetened almond milk and a vegan cheese blend. It won’t be identical but still tasty!

How spicy is this dish?

It has a gentle Cajun warmth, but you can dial it up with more red pepper flakes or tone it down by using a mild Cajun seasoning.

Can I prep this ahead?

You can cook the pasta and make the sauce a day in advance. Reheat slowly and sear the steak fresh for the best texture.

What other pasta works well here?

Penne, cavatappi, or shells all work well—anything that can hold onto the creamy sauce.

Can I grill the steak instead of pan-searing?

Absolutely. Grill on high heat for 4–5 minutes per side, then finish with garlic butter while resting.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas with a Kick?

If you loved this Cheesy Cajun Garlic Butter Steak with Creamy Rigatoni, check out these other crave-worthy dishes:

Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake for a spicy-sweet twist.
One Skillet Spicy Garlic Butter Parmesan Steak Pasta for a fast weeknight version.
Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini for that sweet-savory combo.

Spicy Cajun Garlic Butter Sausage Pasta for sausage lovers who enjoy a little heat.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini for a chicken swap with familiar comfort.

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

Let me know how your version turned out. Did you go spicy or keep it mild? Add bacon to the pasta or try a different cut of steak?

I always love hearing your twists on the classics. Drop your tips or questions in the comments and let’s cook smarter together!

Cheesy Cajun Garlic Butter Steak with Creamy Rigatoni

Author: Olivia McKenney

Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Print Recipe

Description

Cheesy Cajun Garlic Butter Steak with Creamy Rigatoni is the ultimate comfort dinner. Juicy Cajun-seasoned steak is pan-seared in garlic butter and paired with rich, cheesy rigatoni tossed in a creamy sauce. Perfect for a cozy night in or impressing guests — this dish brings bold flavor and indulgent satisfaction to every bite.

Instructions

1. Pat the steak dry and season both sides generously with Cajun seasoning.

2. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Sear steak for 3–4 minutes per side, depending on thickness and desired doneness.

3. In the last minute of cooking, add 1 tablespoon butter and half the minced garlic to the pan. Baste the steak with the melted garlic butter. Remove steak from pan and let it rest.

4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.

5. In the same pot over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

6. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

7. Add mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Whisk until fully melted and smooth.

8. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.

9. Toss cooked rigatoni into the cheese sauce until fully coated. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency.

10. Slice the rested steak against the grain. Plate steak beside or over the pasta.

11. Spoon over any remaining garlic butter from the skillet and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot.