Rich Garlic Butter Steak with Cheesy Rigatoni

Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: A Love Story of Steak and Pasta

Tender, juicy steak tips bathed in garlicky butter, paired with perfectly al dente rigatoni coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. This isn't just dinner - it's a celebration of two culinary worlds colliding in the most delicious way possible. After years of perfecting this recipe in my kitchen, I'm excited to share every secret that makes this dish absolutely unforgettable.

Essential Ingredients Guide

• Quality strip steaks: the star of our show
• Fresh garlic: no substitutes here
• Real butter: essential for that rich sauce
• Premium Parmesan: freshly grated only
• Rigatoni pasta: perfect sauce-catching ridges

Detailed Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Steak Preparation

• Pat steaks completely dry with paper towels
• Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides
• Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes
• Cut into 1.5-inch cubes after resting
• Press seasoning into meat with your hands

Step 2: Pasta Perfection

• Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil
• Add 2 tablespoons salt to water
• Cook rigatoni 2 minutes less than package time
• Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining
• Don't rinse - starch is crucial for sauce

Step 3: Creating the Garlic Butter

• Slowly melt butter over medium heat
• Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant
• Watch carefully to prevent burning
• Add fresh herbs if using
• Keep warm but not hot

Step 4: Searing the Steak

• Heat cast iron until smoking hot
• Add high-heat oil to pan
• Work in batches of 6-8 pieces
• Sear 2-3 minutes per side
• Baste with garlic butter while cooking

Step 5: Making the Cheese Sauce

• Start with garlic butter base
• Add heavy cream gradually
• Incorporate Parmesan in three additions
• Adjust consistency with pasta water
• Season to taste

Step 6: Final Assembly

• Toss pasta with cheese sauce
• Add steak tips and any pan juices
• Adjust seasoning and sauce consistency
• Finish with fresh herbs
• Serve immediately while hot

Step 7: Temperature Control Throughout

• Keep steak pan screaming hot (400-450°F)
• Maintain pasta water at rolling boil
• Sauce should simmer, never boil
• Rest steak at room temperature
• Serve on warmed plates

Step 8: Sauce Refinement

• Start sauce while pasta cooks
• Add pasta water slowly, 2 tablespoons at a time
• Watch for sauce to coat back of spoon
• Test consistency by dragging spoon through sauce
• It should leave a clear path that slowly fills in

Step 9: Texture Development

• Steak should have crusty exterior
• Pasta must maintain slight bite
• Sauce should be silky, never grainy
• Look for sauce to cling to pasta
• Check for proper emulsification

Step 10: Finishing Touches

• Add fresh herbs at very end
• Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil
• Crack fresh black pepper
• Shave additional Parmesan
• Garnish with microgreens if desired

Step 11: Plating Strategy

• Use warmed pasta bowls
• Twirl pasta into neat mounds
• Arrange steak tips artfully
• Drizzle pan sauce around edges
• Finish with final garnishes

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Common Troubleshooting During Cooking

• If sauce is too thick: Add pasta water gradually
• If steak isn't browning: Pat meat drier and increase heat
• If pasta is clumping: Add a splash of olive oil and toss
• If sauce breaks: Lower heat and whisk in cold butter
• If garlic browns too quickly: Remove pan from heat

The Art of Perfect Timing

Getting the timing right makes or breaks this dish. I always start by bringing my steaks to room temperature - about 30 minutes on the counter does the trick. Meanwhile, I get my pasta water boiling and prep all ingredients. This synchronization ensures everything comes together at just the right moment, creating that restaurant-quality experience.

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Creating the Perfect Sauce Symphony

The magic happens when three elements come together: the garlic butter from the steak, the starchy pasta water, and freshly grated Parmesan. Start by melting butter with garlic until fragrant, then add a splash of that liquid gold (pasta water) to create an emulsion. As you toss the pasta, the sauce becomes silky smooth, clinging to every ridge of the rigatoni.

Temperature Control Mastery

For perfectly cooked steak tips, temperature control is crucial:

• Pan should be smoking hot for initial sear
• Reduce heat to medium for butter basting
• 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare
• Allow for 5-10°F temperature rise while resting

Plating Like a Pro

I love serving this family-style on a large platter, with the creamy rigatoni as a bed for the garlic butter steak tips. Garnish with fresh herbs, extra Parmesan, and a drizzle of the pan sauce. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper adds both flavor and visual appeal.

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni isn't just a meal - it's a celebration of comfort food elevated to new heights. Whether you're cooking for a special occasion or treating yourself to an extraordinary dinner, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen. Remember, the key to success lies in quality ingredients, proper timing, and attention to detail. Master these elements, and you'll have a dish that's truly unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like penne or ziti works well as a substitute for rigatoni.

→ What if I don't have heavy cream?

You can replace it with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version.

→ How do I ensure the steak stays tender?

Let the steak rest under foil after cooking to lock in juices before slicing.

→ Can this be made dairy-free?

Omit the cheese and use dairy-free alternatives for cream and butter.

→ What sides go well with this dish?

Pair with garlic bread or a simple side salad for balance.