Go Back
–+ servings
Close-up overhead shot of tubular rigatoni coated in a thick, glossy, orange-tinted creamy parmesan sauce topped with charred sirloin steak tips and cajun seasoning.
FL Recipes

Creamy Cajun Steak Pasta: The Ultimate Comfort Dinner

This incredibly rich and satisfying Creamy Cajun Steak Pasta features perfectly charred sirloin tips and tubular rigatoni smothered in a thick, glossy, orange-tinted creamy parmesan sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe WhatsApp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 850
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb sirloin steak tips Cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • 12 oz tubular rigatoni pasta Dried pasta, cooked al dente.
  • 2 tbsp cajun seasoning Divided for steak and sauce.
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil Or canola oil, for searing.
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter For the sauce base.
  • 4 cloves garlic Freshly minced.
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream At room temperature if possible.
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese Finely grated, plus extra for garnish.
  • 0.5 cups pasta water Reserved from boiling the rigatoni.
  • 2 tbsp fresh green parsley flakes Chopped, for garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 Large Cast-Iron Skillet Essential for getting a heavy char on the steak tips.
  • 1 Large Pasta Pot For boiling the tubular rigatoni.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta and Steak
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tubular rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 0.5 cups of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. Pat the sirloin steak tips completely dry. Dust them aggressively with 1 tbsp of the reddish-brown Cajun seasoning.
  3. Heat avocado oil in a cast-iron skillet over high heat. Sear the steak tips for 2-3 minutes per side until heavily charred. Remove and set aside.
Making the Glossy Sauce
  1. Lower heat to medium-low. Melt butter in the skillet, scraping up browned bits. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and the remaining 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning. Let it gently simmer until it becomes a thick, orange-tinted liquid.
  3. Stir in the finely grated parmesan cheese until melted and glossy. Splash in reserved pasta water as needed. Toss the cooked rigatoni in the sauce until well coated.
  4. Transfer to a bowl. Top with the charred steak tips, extra parmesan cheese, and fresh chopped green parsley flakes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 850kcalProtein: 40gFat: 55gFiber: 3g

Notes

Grate your own parmesan cheese from a block for the smoothest sauce.
Do not overcrowd the pan when searing the steak, or the meat will steam instead of char.
Keyword Creamy Cajun Steak Pasta,creamy parmesan sauce,spicy pasta,steak tips

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
Pin Recipe