Garlic Butter Steak Bites Paired with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Author:Olivia
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Steak: 1 pound sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
Butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
Seasoning: 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Optional garnish: 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Pasta: 12 ounces fettuccine, linguine, or penne
Butter: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Heavy cream: 1 ½ cups
Parmesan cheese: 1 cup, freshly grated
Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
Seasoning: ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional for depth)
Pasta water: ½ cup reserved from boiling the pasta
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Steak Bites
Cut the steak: Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove moisture (this ensures a good sear). Cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch each. Season generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.
Sear the steak: Place the steak pieces in a single layer in the skillet, ensuring they don’t overcrowd. Cook for 2–3 minutes on one side without moving them to develop a golden-brown crust. Flip and cook for another 1–2 minutes. Remove the steak bites and set aside.
Make the garlic butter sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining butter to the skillet, followed by the minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring to avoid burning. Return the steak bites to the skillet and toss them in the garlic butter. Garnish with parsley and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Melt butter and sauté garlic: In a large pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Make the cream sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Use the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to loosen the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 3: Serve
Plate the creamy parmesan pasta in shallow bowls or plates. Top each serving with a generous portion of garlic butter steak bites. Garnish with more parsley and Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
