Steak and Pasta
Published Jun 11, 2024
Updated Oct 02, 2024
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Pasta tossed in a rich, creamy sauce, topped with perfectly seared and juicy steak. This Steak and Pasta is elegant enough for entertaining and easy enough for weeknights.
This is one amazing dinner that everyone in my family loves! I even served some to a salesman who came to speak to us and he loved it so much!
There isn’t just one special component that makes this dish fantastic; it is just the combination of everything! The flavors come together so wonderfully.
From the delicious steak to the tender pasta and creamy sauce with cream cheese, this easy dinner recipe is one for the books. Youโll love how the rich and delicious sauce complements the seasoned steak.
Layers of flavor present themselves, such as fresh and dried garlic, herbs, and rich hints of butter and chicken stock. Itโs an understatement to say that this is a worthy meal!
It is perfect for pairing with flavorful Garlic Butter Rolls, a large bowl of Caesar salad, some Italian Chopped Salad, or classic garlic bread. This easy pasta recipe is also one of my favorite meals to serve with my Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots or Garlic Butter Green Beans.
Love pasta? Also check out my Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta, Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta, and Cajun Pasta With Salmon.
Steak and Pasta
Whether youโre looking for a dish worthy of a cozy home date night or something to serve when you have guests over, this pasta dish will make you look like a star! This restaurant-quality meal is a great choice no matter the occasion. Itโs loaded with delicious flavor and easy enough for anyone to make.
Steak can be quite expensive at restaurants, but it can also be intimidating to make if youโve never cooked it before. Can I let you in on a secret, though? It is much easier to make than you think! And you can save money making it yourself. My recipe has simple steps and a temperature guide, so I promise you can nail this recipe and impress your loved ones with it.
So, next time you head to the grocery store, make sure to pick up some ribeye steaks so you can give this easy pasta dinner a go. I know youโll enjoy it as much as my family does, especially if your family has big meat eaters. I mean, what could be better than pasta, sliced steak, and a velvety sauce? And If you love creamy pasta recipes like this, make sure to try my One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta or One Pot Creamy Macaroni and Chicken.
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the primary ingredients in this delicious pasta recipe:
- Pasta: The pasta is the base of the recipe. Use any pasta shape you have.
- Steak: You will need ribeye steak for this recipe. The steak provides plenty of protein and helps complete the meal. You can substitute for another cut of steak if you wish; I will discuss suitable substitutes below!
- Heavy Cream: The sauce perfectly balances savory and creamy flavors by combining heavy cream and chicken stock. The heavy cream makes it plenty thick and silky!
- Assorted Seasonings: Youโll need various seasonings, such as garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and dried and fresh herbs. For a spicy kick, you can also include red pepper flakes!
There are other ingredients, too, such as parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and unsalted butter, so check out the recipe card below for the full recipe and measurements.
Recipe Variations
Looking to make some modifications to the recipe? This is a great dish for experimentation! Here are some ideas:
- Steak and Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes: The tomatoes will add a bold flavor and a nice chewy texture to the dish. They look incredible on top of the pasta dish. However, you can also use halved cherry tomatoes if you donโt have sun-dried tomatoes.
- White Wine Cream Sauce: Include some white wine in your creamy pasta sauce for a richer flavor. After cooking the garlic, you can use a small amount of wine to deglaze the pan.
- Use a Different Meat: You donโt have to use steak! You can switch it up and add chicken, andouille sausage, or even shrimp for a tasty variationโthe sauce and pasta pair with all sorts of different proteins.
- Pesto: Add pesto to your cream sauce to give it an earthy touch and some natural sweetness from the basil.
- Add Veggies: You can add various vegetables to the pasta sauce, such as spinach, asparagus, peas, onions, or mushrooms.
For more recipes with steak, check out my Steak and Scrambled Eggs, Pan Seared Flank Steak, and Ribeye Steak Sandwich.
Substitutions
Donโt have a certain ingredient for Steak and Pasta? No worries. You can still make a delicious dish by swapping one ingredient for another. Here are some substitutions you can make.
- Steak: Instead of ribeye steak, you’re welcome to use NY strip steaks, chuck steak, sirloin steak, skirt steak, or even rump steak.
- Stock: You can use chicken broth or beef broth Instead of chicken stock. You can even use vegetable broth if thatโs all you have!
- Seasonings: If you donโt have dried thyme, you can substitute fresh thyme or include Italian seasoning, which is a seasoning blend containing thyme. Regarding salt, feel free to use table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt.
How To Make Steak and Pasta
Cook Pasta
- Using a large pot of water, cook pasta according to the package’s instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water when you drain the al dente cooked pasta from the salted water.
Sear The Steaks
- While the pasta cooks, pat dry the steaks with paper towels. Season both sides.
2. Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat until smoking hot. Coat the bottom of the hot skillet with olive oil so the steaks get a good sear.
3. Add the seasoned steaks in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until desired doneness. The cooking time shouldnโt take more than 3-4 minutes on each side. For internal temperature guidance, see the steak cooking guide in the recipe notes.
4. Transfer steaks from the nonstick skillet to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
It is best to cook the steaks before the sauce, as suggested. This seasons the pan nicely for the sauce and allows the meat to rest, so it is a win-win.
Make The Sauce
- Reduce burner to medium heat and melt butter in the same skillet.
- Add the minced garlic and pepper flakes (if using). Stir and let it cook in the melted butter. Do not use a higher heat, as the garlic will burn.
3. Deglaze the pan with stock. Bring to a simmer, then add the heavy cream, cream cheese, fresh thyme, and black pepper.
4. Bring to a simmer, then stir to dissolve the cream cheese. Let it simmer while stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
5. Add the tender pasta to the sauce and toss to combine, adding the reserved pasta water if it is too dry.
6. Add the shredded parmesan and toss to combine. Taste the pasta and sprinkle with salt if needed.
7. Slice the steak into thin slices against the grain and serve steak pieces over the pasta. Garnish with fresh minced parsley if desired.
Also, check out this recipe for Steak and Mushroom Pasta.
Important Tips for Perfect Steak and Pasta
- This creamy steak pasta recipe is best when enjoyed immediately, but if you have leftover steak and pasta, store them separately in airtight containers.
- For tender steak, I suggest reheating it low and slow in the oven or over a gentle heat on the stovetop. You can add a tablespoon of butter to the cast iron skillet, add the steak, and cover while reheating. The microwave will ruin its lovely texture.
- I donโt think this recipe necessarily benefits from making any portion ahead of time, but you can always chop the garlic and herbs in advance to get ahead.
- Do not add the steak to the pan until the skillet is properly heated. Otherwise, the meat will not sear well and might cook unevenly.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best results. The pre-grated stuff typically contains extra ingredients to prevent the parmesan from clumping together. It’s definitely best to use the real deal and have a fresher, more robust taste and texture!
Serving
More Pasta Recipes
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Steak and Pasta
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounces spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Salt as needed
Steak
- 2 ribeye steaks about 8 ounces per steak
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
- ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
- ยฝ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- ยฝ teaspoon red pepper flakes for heat, optional
- ยฝ cup chicken stock
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- โ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup grated parmesan
- 2 Tablespoons minced parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cook Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to the package's instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
Sear The Steaks
- Pat dry the steaks with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme.
- Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat until smoking hot. It takes about 5 minutes. Add the olive oil and swirl to ensure it coats the bottom of the pan. Add the seasoned steaks and cook for 3 minutes per side or until desired doneness. See the steak cooking guide in the recipe notes.
- Transfer the steaks from the pan to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
Make The Sauce
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and pepper flakes (if using). Stir and let it cook in the butter for about 10 seconds. Do not burn the garlic.
- Add the chicken stock to deglaze the pan. Bring to a simmer, then add the heavy cream, cream cheese, fresh thyme, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then stir or whisk to dissolve the cream cheese. Let it simmer while stirring from time to time until the sauce thickens and easily coats the back of a wooden spoon.
- Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to combine, adding the reserved pasta water if it is too dry. Add the shredded parmesan and toss to combine. Continue to add pasta water if the pasta is dry. Taste the pasta and sprinkle on a pinch of salt if needed.
- Slice the steak into thin slices against the grain and serve over the pasta. Garnish with fresh minced parsley if desired.
Notes
- Rare: 120-130ยฐF (49-54ยฐC) – Cool red center.
- Medium Rare: 130-135ยฐF (54-57ยฐC) – Warm red center.
- Medium: 135-145ยฐF (57-63ยฐC) – Warm pink center.
- Medium Well: 145-155ยฐF (63-68ยฐC) – Slightly pink center.
- Well Done: 155ยฐF+ (68ยฐC+) – Little or no pink.