Steak Bites and Shell Pasta in Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce Recipe
A rich and savory dish featuring tender steak bites and shell pasta tossed in a creamy garlic butter Alfredo sauce. Perfect for an indulgent dinner that’s quick to prepare, combining succulent seared steak with a luscious Parmesan cream sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Steak and Pasta
- 12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz shell pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 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
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Garnish
- 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 the package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare Steak: Pat the steak bites dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and get a good sear.
- 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 until browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove steak bites and transfer to a plate, loosely cover with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce skillet heat to medium then add the unsalted butter and the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked shell pasta into the Alfredo sauce, tossing gently to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pasta and top with the seared steak bites along with any juices that accumulated on the plate. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use a high-quality steak like ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- Make sure not to overcook the steak bites to keep them tender and juicy.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and enhances the sauce’s flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- The parsley garnish is optional but adds a fresh note and color contrast.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens as it cools.
Keywords: steak bites, shell pasta, garlic butter alfredo sauce, creamy pasta, quick dinner, seared steak, easy creamy pasta
