Description
A rich and flavorful Creamy Cajun Butter Steak Pasta Skillet that combines tender seared steak with a luscious Cajun-spiced cream sauce and vibrant bell peppers, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for a satisfying and quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Steak
- 1 pound sirloin or ribeye steak, sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season Steak: In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced steak with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
- Sear Steak: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned steak slices in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sliced red and yellow bell peppers. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the peppers are slightly softened and the garlic is fragrant.
- Prepare Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Combine and Heat Through: Return the cooked steak and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and steak evenly with the creamy sauce. Heat through for 1–2 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve the creamy Cajun butter steak pasta hot for a flavorful and hearty meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken or shrimp for the steak if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your desired spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smoothest sauce texture.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.
