Description
Creamy, spicy, and loaded with seared steak, this Spicy Cajun Steak Rigatoni with Cheesy Parmesan is the ultimate comfort food with a bold kick. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for a cozy dinner that still feels elevated. The Cajun-spiced cream sauce clings to every bite of rigatoni, while juicy steak cubes add a savory punch. Finished with Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this dish delivers restaurant-worthy flavor at home.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni pasta
1 lb sirloin steak, cut into cubes
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp paprika
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until just shy of al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Pat steak dry and cut into cubes. Season with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. In a large skillet over high heat, heat butter and olive oil. Sear steak cubes 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
4. Lower heat to medium. Add a little more butter if needed. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Stir in heavy cream, remaining Cajun seasoning, paprika, and a splash of pasta water. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat. Stir in Parmesan until melted. Add more pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
7. Return steak to the pan and mix gently or layer on top.
8. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Best served fresh, but leftovers keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or pasta water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: spicy pasta, steak pasta, cajun rigatoni, cheesy parmesan pasta