Steak Pasta

Steak Pasta is a restaurant worthy meal that combines the indulgence of a seared ribeye with the comfort of creamy pasta, perfect for both cozy dinner parties and romantic date nights. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish balances simplicity with depth of flavor, a great option when you’re looking to impress at the table with minimal effort.

Achieving the perfect balance of flavors in this dish hinges on a few key steps: searing the ribeye steaks to develop a rich, golden-brown crust, cooking the pasta to al dente in salted water, and blending these with a creamy, parmesan-infused sauce. It’s all about turning a few high quality ingredients into something extraordinary. Share this meal with someone special or a circle of close friends, and you’re guaranteed an unforgettable dining experience, long remembered beyond the last bite.

Ingredients You Need to Make Steak Pasta

• Short Pasta: Look for a pasta shape that can easily scoop up and hold the sauce, such as penne or fusilli. Their surfaces and hollows are perfect for capturing every bit of the creamy, flavorful sauce
• Ribeye Steak: Choose steaks with good marbling as this fat melts during cooking, adding to the steak’s flavor and tenderness. Aim for steaks that are 1¼ to 1 ½ inches thick for optimal searing.
• Avocado Oil: Opt for a high smoke point oil like avocado oil, which is ideal for searing at high temperatures without burning.
• Butter: Choose a high-fat content butter, which tends to splatter less during cooking, ideal for creating a smoother, richer sauce without the mess.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is best for the most robust flavor. Choose cloves that are plump and have tight, unbroken skins.
• Heavy Cream: For the creamiest sauce, choose a heavy cream with a high fat content. 
• Parmesan Cheese: Grate the cheese freshly from a block for the best flavor and melting properties. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the sauce’s smoothness.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley should look vibrant green without any yellowing or wilting. 
• Kosher Salt: The coarser grains of kosher salt are easier to pinch and sprinkle, offering better control over seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a more pronounced flavor than pre-ground. 

Mastering the Butter Baste for Perfect Steak

Basting your steak in sizzling butter is one of those kitchen tricks that feels a bit like alchemy. As you spoon that golden liquid over the steak, it not only bastes it with flavor but also helps to cook it more evenly. The butter browns along with the meat, adding a nutty richness that deepens the steak’s natural flavors. This method, simple yet transformative, ensures each slice is juicy, tender, and crusted with a hint of caramelization. It’s a small step with a big impact.

Recipe Options

• Pasta Alternatives: Swap short pasta like penne or fusilli with rigatoni or farfalle.
• Steak Choices: Choose flank or New York strip steak as alternatives to ribeye for a leaner option or different flavor profiles.
• Butter Substitute: Try using ghee instead of butter for basting to add a nutty flavor and higher smoke point.
• Garlic Alternative: Substitute minced shallots for garlic to offer a milder, slightly sweeter taste in the sauce.
• Cheese Varieties: Use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano cheese instead of Parmesan for a slightly different but equally delicious flavor.
• Herb Choices: Add fresh basil or thyme instead of parsley for a different herbaceous note in the final dish.
• Spice It Up: For a kick, incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce to add a subtle heat.

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid freezing as it can change the pasta and sauce’s texture.

Serve With

• Little Gem Salad
• Bibb Lettuce Salad
• Arugula Salad

More Delicious Pasta Recipes

• Mushroom Carbonara
• Chicken Broccoli Pasta
• Sausage and Peppers Pasta Recipe
• Pancetta Pasta Recipe

How to Make Steak Pasta

Start by cooking pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente, then drain, saving some pasta water for later. As the pasta cooks, season steaks with salt and pepper and sear them in a hot, oiled cast iron skillet until a golden-brown crust forms on both sides, then lower the heat and baste with butter until they reach medium rare. Let the steaks rest before slicing them against the grain.

In the same skillet, melt additional butter, add garlic until fragrant, then mix in heavy cream and simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted.

Combine the creamy sauce with the pasta, adjusting the consistency with the reserved pasta water, and season as needed. Serve the pasta topped with steak slices, additional parmesan, and parsley if desired.