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Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shells Pasta Recipe

Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shells Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 15 reviews

Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shells Pasta is a gourmet-quality dish combining tender, perfectly seared steak cubes tossed in aromatic garlic butter with a rich, velvety cream sauce coating tender pasta shells. This recipe balances robust, savory flavors with creamy indulgence to create an elegant yet comforting meal suitable for both dinner parties and family dinners. With easy-to-follow steps and about 40 minutes total preparation, it brings restaurant-style steakhouse dining to your home kitchen, featuring juicy sirloin steak bites paired with luscious Parmesan-infused cream pasta.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Steak Bites:

  • 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes (substitute: ribeye or strip steak for richer flavor)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced (substitute: 2 teaspoons garlic powder)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (substitute: fresh thyme for enhanced aroma)

For the Creamy Shells Pasta:

  • 12 oz medium pasta shells (substitute: penne or rigatoni)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (substitute: half-and-half for lighter option)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (substitute: Romano cheese)
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Steak: Remove the steak from the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature. Cut into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking. Pat the cubes completely dry with paper towels to promote proper searing. Season thoroughly with salt, pepper, and thyme, allowing the spices to penetrate the meat for maximum flavor.
  2. Start the Pasta Water: Fill a large pot with salted water, seasoning it so it tastes like seawater to enhance pasta flavor. Bring to a rolling boil, then add the pasta shells. Cook according to package instructions minus one minute, since the pasta will finish cooking in the sauce. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  3. Sear the Steak Bites: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add steak cubes in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding to ensure caramelization. Sear each side for 2-3 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms. Resist moving the steaks to achieve proper crust and lock in juices.
  4. Create the Garlic Butter: Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet with steak. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Toss steak bites in the garlic butter to coat, then remove from skillet and tent with foil to rest.
  5. Build the Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Cook briefly until fragrant, then pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the cream cheese until the mixture is smooth, creating a rich base to cling to the pasta shells.
  6. Combine and Finish: Add the drained pasta shells to the cream sauce, tossing gently to coat. Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese to prevent clumping. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta cooking water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Return the steak bites to the skillet and fold gently to combine without breaking the tender meat.

Notes

  • Allow steak to reach room temperature before cooking for even doneness.
  • Do not overcrowd the skillet when searing steak to prevent steaming.
  • Pat steak dry to ensure a perfect sear with a caramelized crust.
  • Use fresh herbs when possible for enhanced aroma and flavor.
  • Simmer cream sauce gently to avoid separation or curdling.
  • Add pasta water gradually to adjust sauce consistency without thinning too much.
  • Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth to preserve sauce texture and steak tenderness.
  • The cream sauce and pasta are best fresh; freeze steak bites separately if meal prepping.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter steak bites, creamy shells pasta, steak bites recipe, garlic butter sauce, creamy pasta, sirloin steak bites, easy steak dinner, restaurant quality steak, quick steak recipe

Find it online: https://reemcook.com/garlic-butter-steak-bites-with-creamy-shells-pasta-recipe/