Steak Bites and Shell Pasta in Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Juicy steak bites paired with shell pasta in a rich and creamy garlic butter Alfredo sauce, garnished with fresh parsley for a delightful and comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Steak Bites
- 12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz shell pasta
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Garlic Butter Alfredo Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shell pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare Steak Bites: Pat the steak bites dry and season them generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear Steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your liking. Transfer the steak bites to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Plate and Serve: Serve the pasta topped with the seared steak bites and any juices from the plate. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if using, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use high-quality steak for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Do not overcook steak bites to maintain juiciness.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated varieties.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less creamy.
- Make sure to pat the steak dry to get a perfect sear and prevent steaming.
Keywords: steak bites, shell pasta, garlic butter Alfredo sauce, creamy pasta, skillet dinner, easy dinner recipe
