Cajun Steak Pasta: A Creamy, Spicy Delight in 30 Minutes

Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredible Cajun Steak Pasta. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, blending spicy, savory, and creamy flavors into one unforgettable meal. We’re talking about perfectly tender, blackened steak strips tossed with pasta in a luxurious, velvety cream sauce that has just the right amount of Cajun kick. It’s a restaurant-quality dish you can easily whip up in your own kitchen in just 30 minutes.

Forget boring dinners. This recipe is designed to impress, whether you’re cooking for your family, a special someone, or just treating yourself. Let’s dive in and create some magic.

Why This Cajun Steak Pasta Recipe is a Must-Try

This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s an experience. The magic lies in the balance of bold flavors and rich textures. The fiery Cajun seasoning is perfectly mellowed by the cool, creamy sauce, while the hearty steak provides a satisfying, savory bite. It’s the kind of meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to make, proving that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something truly spectacular.

The Key Ingredients for Perfect Cajun Steak Pasta

The quality of your ingredients will make all the difference. Here’s what you need to bring this amazing dish to life.

The Best Steak for Pasta

We recommend using a quality cut of beef like sirloin, ribeye, or New York strip. These cuts are tender and have enough marbling to stay juicy and flavorful. You’ll need about one pound of steak, cut into bite-sized strips against the grain for maximum tenderness.

Building the Perfect Cajun Cream Sauce

The sauce is the heart of this dish. It’s a simple but decadent combination of butter, garlic, chicken broth, and heavy cream. The real star, of course, is the Cajun seasoning. Use your favorite store-bought brand or make your own! Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is non-negotiable; it melts beautifully and adds a nutty, salty depth that pre-shredded cheese just can’t match.

Pasta and Veggies

For the pasta, a short, sturdy shape like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli is ideal for catching all that glorious sauce. We’re also adding some classic vegetables for color and flavor: diced onion and vibrant bell peppers (a mix of red and green works beautifully).

How to Make Cajun Steak Pasta (Step-by-Step)

Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping meal.

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water. This is liquid gold for adjusting your sauce later.
2. Season and Sear the Steak: While the pasta cooks, pat your steak strips dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, toss them with a generous amount of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the steak in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove the steak from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell peppers, and cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for a minute, then reduce the heat to low and whisk in the heavy cream. Slowly stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Season with a bit more Cajun seasoning to taste.
5. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked steak to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Stir everything together until the pasta and steak are fully coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Pro Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results

• Don’t Crowd the Pan: When searing the steak, give it plenty of space. This ensures it gets a beautiful brown crust instead of steaming.
• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. A block of Parmesan grated fresh will melt into a perfectly smooth sauce.
• Reserve That Pasta Water: The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta and is perfect for thinning the sauce without making it watery.
• Slice Against the Grain: For the most tender steak, be sure to identify the direction of the muscle fibers and slice across them, not parallel to them.

Delicious Variations to Try

While this Cajun Steak Pasta recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to customize it!

Make it Surf and Turf

Add a pound of peeled and deveined shrimp for an incredible surf and turf version. Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and quickly sauté them after the steak. Add them back in at the end with the steak and pasta.

Load Up on Veggies

Feel free to add other vegetables to the mix. Sliced mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes would all be delicious additions. Sauté them along with the onions and peppers.

Adjusting the Spice Level

The heat level depends entirely on your Cajun seasoning and your preference. For a milder dish, use less seasoning. For a fiery kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the cream sauce.

What to Serve with Your Pasta

This dish is a complete meal on its own, but a few simple sides can round it out perfectly. A crisp green salad, like a refreshing cucumber ranch salad, offers a cool contrast to the spicy pasta. Cheesy garlic bread is also a fantastic choice for soaking up every last drop of that amazing sauce.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cream-based sauces can sometimes separate when reheated. The best way to warm this dish is in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency, stirring gently until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

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More Delicious Pasta Recipes

If you loved this dish, you’ll definitely want to try our Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese for another spicy, creamy favorite. For a different take on steak and pasta, check out our incredible Philly Cheesesteak Pasta recipe!

The Ultimate Cajun Steak Pasta Recipe

FL Recipes

Cajun Steak Pasta: A Creamy, Spicy Delight in 30 Minutes

This Cajun Steak Pasta is a restaurant-quality meal you can make at home in just 30 minutes! Tender steak and pasta are tossed in a spicy, savory, and incredibly creamy Cajun sauce for a perfect weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Cajun

Calories: 850

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 lb sirloin steak cut into bite-sized strips
• 8 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 bell pepper diced (any color)
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning plus more to taste
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Large Pot

Method

 

1. Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, pat steak strips dry and toss with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
4. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and whisk in heavy cream.
5. Slowly stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with additional Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Return the cooked steak and drained pasta to the skillet. Stir to combine, ensuring everything is coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 850kcalProtein: 42gFat: 55gFiber: 3g

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese as it melts smoother than pre-shredded varieties.
Don't overcook the steak. A quick sear on each side is all it needs to stay tender and juicy.
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spice level of the dish.

Keyword cajun steak pasta,creamy steak pasta,spicy pasta recipe

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We are so excited for you to try this Cajun Steak Pasta recipe! It’s a true crowd-pleaser that we’re sure you’ll love. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share a picture of your masterpiece on Pinterest!