Description
A quick Italian-American comfort dish featuring tender seared steak cubes, shell pasta, and a garlicky, buttery Alfredo sauce with heavy cream and Parmesan. Ready in 30 minutes or less! Customize with vegetables or extra herbs for a personalized touch.
Ingredients
12 oz steak (ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon), cut into 1-inch cubes
8 oz shell pasta (or any pasta with ridges for sauce grip)
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 ½ tsp garlic powder)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper (generous amounts)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Reserved pasta water (½ cup)
Instructions
Boil salted water in a pot until it’s roaring. Add shell pasta, cook al dente (8-10 minutes), then reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add steak cubes and sear until golden brown
In the same skillet, reduce heat slightly. Add butter and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant (1-2 minutes)
Pour in heavy cream, let it simmer. Gradually stir in Parmesan until the sauce thickens. Adjust salt and pepper
Return pasta and steak to the skillet. Toss with Alfredo sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce
Transfer to plates, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm
Notes
Add cherry tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms for a vegetable boost
Browned butter enhances the sauce’s nutty flavor
Use a single skillet for easier cleanup
Avoid pre-grated Parmesan for better sauce texture
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-Frying, Boiling, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6-8 bites)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg