Description
A comforting pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-spiced steak tips tossed with rigatoni in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
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1 pound beef sirloin or strip steak, cut into bite-sized tips
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2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
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3/4 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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12 ounces rigatoni pasta
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 1/2 cups heavy cream
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3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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1/2 cup reserved pasta water
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
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Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
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Season steak tips with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear steak tips for 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
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Lower heat to medium, melt butter in the skillet, and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
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Add heavy cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Stir in Parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
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Toss cooked rigatoni with the sauce, adding pasta water as needed.
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Fold steak tips back into the pasta and heat through.
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Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
For a milder flavor, reduce Cajun seasoning. For a richer sauce, add an extra 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes