Description
Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan Sauce is a delightful dish that combines tender steak tips seasoned with Cajun spices and creamy rigatoni pasta in a rich Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs sirloin steak (or ribeye, strip steak, or filet mignon), cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade blend: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, salt, pepper)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons butter (for finishing)
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta (or penne/ziti)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups whole milk (warm)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (to tie flavors together)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for creaminess)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil (chopped) for garnish
- Extra Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Pat steak cubes dry with paper towels. Toss steak with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Add steak cubes in a single layer and sear 2–3 minutes per side until nicely browned but still juicy inside. Add butter and garlic to the skillet, tossing steak bites to coat. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Whisk in flour to form a roux, cooking for 1–2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth. Stir in Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and mix in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted and creamy. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Toss the cooked rigatoni in the cheesy Parmesan sauce until fully coated. Plate with Cajun steak tips on the side or mix them directly into the pasta for a full skillet meal.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot — ideally with garlic bread and maybe a crisp salad to balance the richness.
Notes
- For restaurant-style presentation, drizzle a little Cajun butter over the steak tips right before serving.
- Feel free to adjust the level of Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- This dish pairs well with a side of garlic bread and a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Cajun Steak Tips, Cheesy Rigatoni, Parmesan Sauce, Cajun Cuisine