Description
Creamy, cheesy rigatoni tossed in a rich Parmesan sauce with Cajun-seared steak tips—bold, comforting, and restaurant-style at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (mild/medium; reduce to 1/4 tsp for very mild)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1.5 lb sirloin steak tips (cut into bite-size pieces)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
- water (for boiling)
- salt (for pasta water)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
- fresh parsley (garnish)
Instructions
- Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, pepper, cayenne, and salt.
- Pat steak dry, toss with Cajun mix. Rest 15 minutes.
- Cook rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Drain (reserve a splash of pasta water).
- Heat olive oil in a hot skillet. Sear steak tips 2 minutes per side until browned; remove. Add 2 tbsp butter, let it melt.
- In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter, add minced garlic, cook 30–60 seconds (don’t brown).
- Add heavy cream; simmer gently. Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until smooth. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add rigatoni to sauce; loosen with a splash of pasta water if needed.
- Return steak tips to the pan and toss 2 minutes to heat through.
- Top with parsley (and optional sesame seeds/green onions if you like). Serve hot.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper for desired spice level.
- Use freshly grated cheese for best results.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 860 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg