Gаrlic Butter Steak Tips with Chееsy Rigatoni tastes so good it makes ya wanna lick the plate . The steak tips are tender and bathed in a garlicky butter sauce , while the pasta is all melty and cheesy . It feels like a big comfort hug on a plate , perfect for dinner nights or when ur buddies come over .
One neat thing about this is how easy it is to tweak . The meat stays juicy and full of savory flavor , and the cheesy rigatoni gives you that creamy texture you crave . They just click together in your mouth . From simple weeknight dinners to chill weekend cookouts , Gаrlic Butter Steak Tips with Chееsy Rigatoni always hits the spot . Time to roll up your sleeves and feed everyone somethin they’ll rave about .
1. Understanding the Ingredients
To nail this recipe , you gotta pick good stuff . We'll start with the steak tips then talk about the rigatoni .
1.1. Garlic Butter Steak Tips
Picking the right cut is key . Some good ones are:
- Sirloin: It’s got a strong taste and stays tender when cooked in butter .
- Flank: This one is lean but still tasty , great for marinating .
- Top Round: A bit tougher but if you cook it right , it turns out full of flavor .
Don’t skip fresh garlic and good butter . Fresh garlic gives a punchier taste and smells amazing when you saute it , and butter makes a rich sauce that sticks to the steak . For seasonings add:
- Salt and pepper: they bring out the meat’s natural taste .
- Herbs: a bit of thyme , rosemary , or parsley adds extra flavor layers .
1.2. Cheesy Rigatoni
Rigatoni is perfect for holding sauce thanks to its tube shape and ridges .
Pick a mix of cheeses like:
- Mozzarella: melts into stretchiness that’s so fun .
- Cheddar: gives a sharp kick that blends well .
- Parmesan: adds a nutty taste and a bit of texture on top .
Use heavy cream for a smooth sauce . You can also toss in:
- Fresh herbs: basil or parsley for a pop of color and taste .
- Garlic: a little minced garlic in the sauce helps tie flavors together .
- Veggies: like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes if you want more color and nutrients .
2. Recipe for Garlic Butter Steak Tips
2.1. Ingredients
You need :
- Steak tips: sirloin , flank , or top round .
- Fresh garlic: 3 to 4 cloves , minced .
- Butter: half a cup of unsalted butter .
- Herbs: a teaspoon each of thyme and rosemary , chopped .
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons .
- Salt and pepper: to taste .
2.2. Directions
Here’s how to cook :
- Marinate: In a bowl , mix garlic , oil , salt , and pepper . Toss the steak in it . Let it sit 30 minutes at room temp or up to 2 hrs in the fridge .
- Cook: Heat a skillet on medium-high . Add steak and sear about 3–4 minutes each side for medium-rare .
- Add garlic butter: When the steak is almost done , drop in the butter and herbs . Let it melt and spoon the sauce over the meat for a minute .
- Rest: Take the steak out and let it rest 5 minutes . This keeps the juices inside .
2.3. Cooking Tips
Some pro tips :
- Temp guide: 130°F medium-rare , 145°F medium , 160°F medium-well .
- Best methods: grill or sear in a pan — both are awesome .
- Don't crowd: too many pieces in the pan and it steams instead of sears .
3. Recipe for Cheesy Rigatoni
3.1. Ingredients
You’ll need :
- Rigatoni: 1 lb uncooked .
- Heavy cream: 1 cup .
- Cheeses: 1 cup mozzarella , 1 cup cheddar , half cup parmesan .
- Extras: spinach or sun-dried tomatoes , or bacon if you want .
3.2. Directions
Steps :
- Boil pasta: Cook rigatoni in salted water till al dente . Drain .
- Make sauce: In same pot , lower heat and pour cream . Whisk in mozzarella and cheddar till melted . Stir in veggies if using .
- Combine: Add pasta back and mix well with sauce . Season with salt and pepper .
- Serve: Top with parmesan and herbs .
3.3. Cooking Tips
Tips for perfect pasta :
- Al dente: cook till it still has a bit of bite , it will keep cooking in sauce .
- Smooth sauce: stir the cream and cheese non-stop while heating so no lumps .
- Store: keep leftovers up to 3 days in fridge . Reheat with a splash of cream .
4. Pairing Suggestions
4.1. Side Dishes
Try :
- Steamed broccoli: light and healthy , cuts the richness .
- Garlic bread: to mop up the extra sauce .
4.2. Wine Pairings
A bold red like Cab or Malbec goes great with steak , while a buttery Chardonnay matches the cheese pasta .
5. FAQs
5.1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Sure . Penne or fusilli work too , just pick shapes that hold sauce .
5.2. How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta and sub in gluten-free flour if you need to thicken the sauce .
5.3. Can I marinate the steak overnight?
Yeah , that actually boosts flavor a lot and makes the meat super tender .
5.4. Can I reheat leftovers?
Definitely . Warm steak tips in a pan on low , and pasta in pot with a bit of cream to keep it creamy .
5.5. What’s the best way to ensure my steak is tender?
Pick good cuts , dont overcook , and always let it rest before slicing so it keeps its juices .
Conclusion
This combo of Gаrlic Butter Steak Tips and creamy rigatoni is a winner every time . It’s fun to make and even better to eat with fam and friends .
Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
- 1 pot for boiling pasta
- 1 colander
- 1 measuring cups
- 1 measuring spoons
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the rigatoni pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the cut sirloin steak pieces, and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the steak tips are browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Return the cooked steak tips to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Meanwhile, in a separate pot, heat the cream over medium heat. Stir in the cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine the cooked rigatoni with the cheese sauce, stirring until well coated.
- Serve the cheesy rigatoni on plates, topped with the garlic butter steak tips. Garnish with chopped parsley.
