Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta
Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta is the ultimate 30-minute dinner. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy steak bites every time. The crispy edges, tender inside, and creamy Parmesan pasta will make your whole family beg for seconds. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Million Dollar Lasagna and Paleo Pizza Soup.
Why This Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly crispy steak bites with a tender inside.
- Creamy Parmesan pasta that's rich and comforting.
- Better than takeout, ready in just 30 minutes.
- Easily customizable with your favorite seasonings and toppings.
What You'll Need for Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Steak (Sirloin or Ribeye)
- Butter
- Garlic
- Pasta (Shell or Penne)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Heavy Cream
- Chicken Broth
- Optional: Fresh Parsley
- Optional: Red Pepper Flakes
- Optional: Grated Parmesan Cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Steak: Sirloin or Ribeye work best. Trim excess fat.
- Pasta: Shell or Penne hold the sauce well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- High-quality Chef's Knife — Clean cuts for faster cooking and safer handling. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta
- Prepare Steak: Slice steak into 1-inch thick bites. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Cook Steak: Heat cast iron skillet over high heat. Add butter, then steak. Cook until browned and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until thickened. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta in the skillet with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency. Top with crispy steak bites, fresh parsley, and additional Parmesan cheese.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta
- : Use high heat to achieve crispy edges.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Cook in batches if needed.
- : Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- : Add garlic towards the end of cooking to prevent burning.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare steak bites and cook pasta up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
Freezing Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta
Freeze cooked steak bites separately for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then stir and heat for another 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and perfect searing.
- Best substitution: Substitute steak with chicken or pork for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare steak bites and cook pasta up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water or chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked steak every time. Pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Steak (Sirloin or Ribeye)
- Butter
- Garlic
- Pasta (Shell or Penne)
- Parmesan Cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Heavy Cream
- Chicken Broth
Optional Toppings
- Fresh Parsley
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Steak: Slice steak into 1-inch thick bites. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Cook Steak: Heat cast iron skillet over high heat. Add butter, then steak. Cook until browned and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until thickened. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta in the skillet with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency. Top with crispy steak bites, fresh parsley, and additional Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and perfect searing.
- Best substitution: Substitute steak with chicken or pork for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare steak bites and cook pasta up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water or chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked steak bites separately for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then stir and heat for another 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
- Make ahead: Prepare steak bites and cook pasta up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta FAQs
Yes, prepare steak bites and cook pasta up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
Overcooking or using the wrong cut of meat can lead to tough steak bites. Use sirloin or ribeye and avoid overcooking.
Yes, cook steak bites in the air fryer at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Use half-and-half or milk for a lighter sauce. For a dairy-free option, use canned coconut milk.
Yes, this hearty and comforting dish is perfect for a cozy Thanksgiving dinner.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Pasta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
