Description
Indulge in this comforting dish featuring perfectly seared steak bites and shell pasta coated in a rich garlic butter Alfredo sauce. It’s a gourmet meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 to 1.5 pounds of steak (sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak)
- Coarse salt (like kosher salt)
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Pinch of garlic powder (optional)
- Pinch of onion powder (optional)
- Shell pasta (conchiglie)
- 6–8 cloves of freshly minced garlic
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 1.5 to 2 cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth (or beef broth)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by patting your steak dry with paper towels. Cut the steak into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside. Mince your garlic cloves and grate your Parmesan cheese.
- Cook the Shell Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add your shell pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 to 1.5 cups of the starchy pasta water. Drain the rest of the pasta and set aside.
- Sear the Steak Bites: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or a knob of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Remove the steak bites from the skillet and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Build the Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in 1/2 cup of chicken or beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in 2 cups of heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until fully melted and incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked shell pasta and the rested steak bites into the Alfredo sauce in the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Pat the steak dry for a better sear. Don't overcrowd the pan while searing the steak. Allow the steak to rest before adding to the pasta. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.