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