Description
Savory steak bites dance with rotini in a rich garlic parmesan sauce, creating an irresistible Italian-inspired comfort meal. Creamy, garlicky goodness wraps around tender meat and pasta, promising a delightful dinner that satisfies deep hunger with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) steak (sirloin, ribeye, or filet), cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Fats:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini pasta
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
- ¾ cup (75 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot and submerge rotini, cooking until it reaches a perfect al dente texture. Carefully drain the pasta and reserve to the side.
- Fire up a spacious skillet with a dollop of butter, elevating the temperature to medium-high. Introduce cubed steak seasoned with salt, black pepper, and a whisper of red pepper flakes for subtle zest. Sear the meat chunks, rotating occasionally to achieve a rich, golden-brown exterior and desired internal temperature, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat and melt additional butter, releasing minced garlic’s aromatic essence. Pour heavy cream into the pan, allowing it to softly simmer while gently incorporating grated parmesan cheese. Continuously stir until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Marry the cooked rotini and seared steak bites within the creamy parmesan sauce, gently tumbling the ingredients to ensure every morsel receives an even, decadent coating. Taste and finesse the seasoning with measured salt and pepper adjustments.
- Present the dish piping hot, embellishing with a generous sprinkle of parmesan and a vibrant garnish of fresh chopped parsley or basil, elevating both visual appeal and flavor profile.
Notes
- Select tender cuts like sirloin or ribeye for the most succulent and flavorful steak bites that melt in your mouth.
- Pat the steak dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Use a high-heat cooking method like cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan to achieve maximum caramelization on the steak.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes – use less for mild flavor or more for a spicier kick.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting rotini with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- For a lighter option, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce overall calorie content.
- Enhance protein intake by adding extra protein like grilled chicken or shrimp alongside the steak bites.
- Meal prep friendly – store sauce and steak separately to prevent pasta from becoming soggy when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 773
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 151 mg