Rich, indulgent, and effortlessly comforting, this Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce is everything you want in a cozy dinner. Imagine tender slices of seared steak, drenched in garlic butter and nestled into creamy rigatoni coated with a velvety cheese sauce. It’s the kind of dish that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to pull together on a weeknight.

This recipe is the perfect marriage between hearty and indulgent. You get the satisfaction of a beautifully cooked steak paired with the soul-soothing creaminess of cheese-loaded pasta. The rigatoni’s ridges capture every drop of sauce, while the garlic butter steak adds a savory punch that takes it to another level.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce

From the very first bite, it’s clear this is no ordinary pasta dinner. The four-cheese sauce has depth and complexity from a blend of cheeses that melt into a luxuriously smooth base. The garlic butter gives the steak a luscious coating that soaks into the pasta for ultimate flavor.

Whether you’re hosting friends, feeding family, or treating yourself to a solo gourmet night in, this dish is equal parts comforting and indulgent. It’s easy to customize, reheat, and pair with a glass of wine for a restaurant-quality experience at home.

What Kind of Steak Should I Use?

The best steak for this dish is one that stays tender and flavorful when sliced thin. Ribeye is a go-to for its marbling and rich taste, but sirloin or NY strip steak work beautifully too. You want something that can sear quickly and still remain juicy, since the steak is the showstopper in this pasta-meets-steak experience.

Ingredients for the Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce

This dish balances richness with savory comfort, and each ingredient plays a crucial role in the final flavor. While the name may sound luxurious, the ingredient list is down-to-earth and easy to find. Let’s break it down so your kitchen is ready to roll.

Rigatoni
Ribeye steak (or sirloin/NY strip)
Salted butter
Garlic cloves
Heavy cream
Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Fontina cheese
Cream cheese
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Fresh parsley

Rigatoni holds onto sauce like a champ, thanks to its tubular shape and ridged surface. Ribeye steak adds juicy, beefy richness, especially when seared to perfection. Salted butter creates the garlic base, while garlic cloves bring that bold, aromatic flavor.

Heavy cream serves as the creamy vehicle for the cheese blend, which includes sharp Parmesan, gooey Mozzarella, melty Fontina, and tangy Cream cheese. Together, they form a deeply satisfying cheese sauce. Olive oil helps sear the steak evenly, and salt and pepper season the dish at every stage. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds color and freshness to the final plate.

Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce 2

How To Make the Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Cook the Rigatoni

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until just shy of al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.

Step 2: Sear the Steak

While the pasta cooks, pat the steak dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a hot skillet and sear the steak for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Remove from heat and let it rest before slicing thinly against the grain.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter

In the same pan, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn it.

Step 4: Build the Four-Cheese Sauce

Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in the Parmesan, Mozzarella, Fontina, and Cream Cheese. Mix until the sauce becomes silky and smooth. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Toss the cooked rigatoni into the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly. Add in the sliced steak and gently fold it through. Plate up and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a hit of freshness.

How to Serve and Store This Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni

This hearty pasta dish serves about four people generously, making it perfect for a family dinner or a cozy gathering. When plating, consider serving it in shallow bowls to showcase the glossy cheese-coated rigatoni and tender slices of steak.

Leftovers reheat well and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, splash in a bit of milk or cream to bring back the creaminess of the sauce. You can warm it on the stovetop over low heat or microwave in short bursts.

If you’re prepping ahead, keep the cooked steak and cheese sauce separate from the pasta until ready to serve. This helps maintain the perfect texture without the rigatoni getting soggy.

What to Serve With Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni?

Garlic Bread

Nothing sops up cheese sauce like a crispy slice of golden garlic bread. It’s a match made in comfort-food heaven.

Roasted Broccolini

The slight bitterness and crisp texture of broccolini cuts through the richness of the pasta.

Caesar Salad

A chilled Caesar salad adds freshness and crunch, balancing out the creamy and buttery elements of the main dish.

Red Wine or Sparkling Grape Juice

A glass of dry red wine or even a fancy non-alcoholic option brings elegance to the table and complements the steak beautifully.

Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms

Earthy mushrooms with a balsamic reduction offer a robust contrast to the cheesy sauce.

Bruschetta

Tomato and basil bruschetta add brightness and acidity that refresh the palate.

Crispy Prosciutto Chips

If you’re going for full indulgence, a salty crisp from prosciutto chips can add textural contrast.

Fresh Lemon Wedges

A squeeze of lemon over the final plate lifts the flavor, especially if your cheese sauce is extra rich.

Want More Pasta Ideas with a Cheesy Twist?

If this Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce became a fast favorite, you’ll definitely want to check out these other creamy and irresistible pasta dishes:

Try the bold and comforting flavors of the Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta for a hearty meatless night.

Need something cozy and hands-off? The One-Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni brings all the creamy satisfaction without the cleanup.

The Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is a great way to sneak in protein without sacrificing flavor.

Level up your dinner game with Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta for a chicken twist on the cheesy pasta theme.

And don’t miss the Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta for a spicy seafood alternative.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can revisit it on a busy weeknight or anytime you need a creamy comfort fix.

And I’d love to hear how yours turned out! Did you go all in with ribeye, or try it with sirloin? Any tweaks to the cheese blend? Drop your version in the comments below.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and easy dinner ideas on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover something new to inspire your next meal.

Conclusion

This Cheesy Garlic Butter Steak with Rigatoni in Four-Cheese Sauce is all about indulgence done right. It takes familiar ingredients and transforms them into something bold and luxurious without being complicated. Whether you’re cooking to impress or just to treat yourself, this dish brings flavor, comfort, and satisfaction to the table every single time.