Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Parmesan Pasta Shells

Yields: 2 Servings Difficulty: Medium Prep Time: 10 Mins Cook Time: 40 Mins Total Time: 50 Mins

Ingredient Substitutions & Additions

  • Steak: Swap sirloin for ribeye, filet mignon, or even chicken breast.
  • Pasta: Try fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni instead of shells.
  • Cheese: Replace mozzarella with white cheddar for a sharper taste.
  • Spices: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat!
  • Veggies: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.

Tips for the Best Steak Bites

  • Use room-temperature steak – This helps it cook evenly and sear beautifully.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan – Give each piece space to develop a good crust.
  • Let the steak rest – Allowing it to sit for a few minutes keeps it juicy.
  • Deglaze the pan – Add a splash of broth or wine to lift those delicious browned bits!

Ingredients

0/8 Ingredients
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    Steak Bites

Instructions

0/5 Instructions
    Creamy Parmesan Pasta Shells
  • Step 1: Cook the Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water for later.
  • Step 2: Sear the Steak Bites Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Season steak bites with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and slightly crispy. Add butter and minced garlic, stirring to coat the steak in a rich, garlicky butter sauce. Remove steak bites from the pan and set aside.
  • Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce In the same pan, pour in heavy cream and let it warm up for 1 minute. Stir in Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth and velvety. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Step 4: Assemble & Serve Toss the cooked pasta shells into the creamy parmesan sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly. Plate the pasta and top with the garlic butter steak bites. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan, and serve hot!
  • What to Serve with This Dish Garlic bread – Because extra garlic butter is never a bad thing! Roasted vegetables – Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or broccoli pair beautifully. Side salad – A fresh Caesar or arugula salad balances the richness. Red wine – A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot elevates the meal.