Description
This Cajun steak pasta is what dinner dreams are made of – spicy, creamy, and loaded with tender steak, it’s like Mardi Gras for your taste buds any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch strips
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 12 oz (340g) rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups (360ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (50g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat steak pieces dry with paper towels. Toss with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Let rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak in a single layer (working in batches if needed) and sear for 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- In the same skillet, add butter and melt. Add onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and bell pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and cream, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
- Bring sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Add cayenne pepper if using.
- Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce, tossing to coat thoroughly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
- Gently fold in the sliced steak, warming in the sauce for 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.