Introduction

Steak Bites and Shell Pasta in Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce is a comforting and indulgent dish that combines tender, seared steak pieces with creamy, cheesy pasta. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner and comes together quickly for a satisfying meal any night of the week.

Steak Bites and Shell Pasta in Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
8 oz shell pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Reserved pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shell pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
Step 2: Pat the steak bites dry with paper towels and season them generously with salt and black pepper.
Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Transfer the steak bites to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Step 4: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
Step 5: Stir in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 7: Plate the pasta and top with the steak bites along with any juices from the plate. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if you like, and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the steak bites briefly in garlic and herbs before cooking.
If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half the heavy cream with milk or use a lower-fat cream alternative.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and gives a creamier sauce than pre-grated cheese.
Swap shell pasta for other shapes like penne or fusilli if preferred.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of steak?

Yes, any tender cut like ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon works well. Just adjust cooking time based on thickness and desired doneness.

How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

Cook the garlic over medium heat and watch closely, stirring frequently. It should become fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.

Steak Bites and Shell Pasta in Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 97 reviews

This delicious recipe features tender steak bites paired with shell pasta tossed in a creamy garlic butter Alfredo sauce. The steak is seared to perfection, and the rich Alfredo sauce is made from scratch with butter, garlic, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Garnished with fresh parsley, this comforting meal is perfect for a satisfying dinner that combines hearty protein with luscious pasta.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Steak Bites

12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Alfredo Sauce

8 oz shell pasta
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Reserved pasta water (as needed)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shell pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. Set pasta aside.
Prepare Steak: Pat the steak bites dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season all sides generously with salt and black pepper.
Sear Steak Bites: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove steak from skillet and transfer to a plate; loosely cover with foil to keep warm.
Sauté Garlic: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add unsalted butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
Make Alfredo Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked shell pasta to the Alfredo sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in some reserved pasta water until you reach the desired sauce consistency.
Plate and Serve: Transfer the coated pasta to serving plates. Top evenly with the seared steak bites and any accumulated juices from the resting plate. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot for best flavor.

Notes

Choose a tender cut of steak like ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon for best results.
Be careful not to overcook the steak; searing quickly on medium-high heat helps maintain juiciness.
Reserving pasta water is essential to loosen the Alfredo sauce without diluting flavor.
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and offers superior flavor compared to pre-grated cheeses.
For a low-carb option, substitute the pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Keywords: steak bites, garlic butter Alfredo sauce, shell pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, skillet steak, homemade Alfredo, quick steak recipe