Ingredients:
For the Garlic Butter Steak Bites:
- 1 lb (450g) sirloin steak or your favorite cut, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional)
For the Creamy Parmesan Shells:
- 12 oz (340g) shell pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1.
Cook the Pasta
:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shell pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually around 9-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
2.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Steak Bites
:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Season the steak cubes generously with salt and pepper.
- Add the steak to the skillet in a single layer. Let it sear for 2-3 minutes without moving it to get a nice brown crust. Flip the steak bites and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Once the steak bites are cooked, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the butter and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Return the steak bites to the skillet and toss them in the garlic butter sauce. Stir in the dried thyme and rosemary (if using) and cook for another 1-2 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove from heat and set aside.
3.
Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
:
- In another large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the heavy cream to the skillet and stir to combine. Bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly in the creamy Parmesan sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta cooking water or more cream to reach your desired consistency.
4.
Combine
:
- Add the garlic butter steak bites on top of the creamy Parmesan pasta, and gently stir to combine everything together. Let the pasta sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5.
Serve
:
- Serve the creamy Parmesan shell pasta with garlic butter steak bites in bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips:
- Steak Options: You can use any steak cut you like, but tender cuts such as sirloin, ribeye, or filet mignon work best for this dish.
- Adding Veggies: For a more complete meal, you can add some sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables to the pasta.
- Extra Creamy Sauce: If you like a richer sauce, you can add more heavy cream or even a bit of cream cheese to the sauce.
Enjoy this indulgent and flavorful Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Parmesan Shells! It’s a perfect meal for any occasion.