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Cajun steak tips on rigatoni pasta in creamy Parmesan sauce
ChefMaster Emily

Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan Sauce

If rich, creamy pasta and spicy, seared steak had a love child, this would be it. These Cajun steak tips are perfectly caramelized with smoky heat, nestled into tender rigatoni bathed in a luxuriously cheesy Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a one-pan-ish wonder that feels like a restaurant-level treat, but trust me—you can whip this up on a weeknight.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Cajun-American fusion
Calories: 720
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Steak
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb steak tips (sirloin or ribeye) cut into chunks, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning homemade or store-bought
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp butter divided
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni just shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat olive oil and half the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss steak tips with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear in batches until browned. Set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add rigatoni and splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until coated.
  5. Gently fold in seared steak tips. Simmer briefly to warm through. Serve immediately.

Notes

For added flavor, finish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon. Adjust Cajun spice level to taste. Use freshly grated cheese for the best results.