Description
This Cajun Steak Bites with Cheesy Garlic Shell Pasta Skillet recipe is a bold and creamy weeknight dinner, featuring Cajun-seasoned steak bites and a rich garlic cheese sauce over tender shell pasta. Perfect for comfort food lovers, this quick one-skillet meal delivers flavor and ease.
Ingredients
1 lb steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
8 oz shell pasta
1 ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. Boil shell pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Gradually whisk in cheddar and Parmesan cheese until smooth and melted. Use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
6. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
7. Fold in the steak bites and let them warm through.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Make sure the skillet is very hot before adding the steak to achieve a proper sear.
Use freshly grated cheeses for the smoothest sauce.
Add pasta water slowly to maintain desired thickness of the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg