Description
Ready to elevate your dinner game? This Cheesy Cajun Steak Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce is a perfect blend of spicy seared steak, creamy parmesan sauce, and al dente pasta. Whether you’re looking for easy dinner ideas, a quick weeknight comfort meal, or simply delicious food ideas for guests, this dish checks every box. It’s bold, satisfying, and comes together with simple ingredients for restaurant-level flavor at home.
Ingredients
1 pound sirloin steak
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
12 ounces rotini pasta
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
½ cup reserved pasta water
1 lemon wedge
Instructions
1. Pat the steak dry and coat with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes.
2. Cook rotini pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
3. Heat a skillet on medium-high. Sear the steak 3–4 minutes per side, then remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
4. In the same pan, reduce heat and melt butter. Add garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds.
5. Pour in the cream and let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
6. Stir in parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
7. Add pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat. Use pasta water to loosen if needed.
8. Slice rested steak and serve over or beside the pasta. Garnish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
Don’t skip resting the steak — it keeps the juices locked in.
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness without diluting flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American, Cajun-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups pasta with 4 oz steak
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta, cajun steak, easy dinner, garlic parmesan, steak pasta recipe