Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

🥩 Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

🔥 Serves: 4 | ⏱ Total Time: ~40 minutes

✳️ Ingredients:

🥩 For the Garlic Butter Steak Bites:

• 1½ lbs sirloin steak or ribeye, cut into bite-sized cubes

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2–3 tbsp butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Optional: chopped parsley or chili flakes for garnish

🍝 For the Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta:

• 12 oz rotini, cavatappi, or fusilli pasta

• 2 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1½ cups heavy cream

• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

• Salt & pepper, to taste

🔪 Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:

• Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente.

• Reserve ½ cup pasta water. Drain and set aside.

2. Sear the Steak Bites:

• Season steak cubes with salt, pepper, and paprika.

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering.

• Sear steak bites in batches, 1–2 minutes per side, until browned. Do not overcrowd the pan.

• Remove steak and set aside.

3. Make Garlic Butter Sauce:

• In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic.

• Sauté 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

• Return steak bites to pan, toss in garlic butter, then remove from heat. Keep warm.

4. Make the Cajun Alfredo Sauce:

• In a separate skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

• Add garlic, sauté 30 seconds.

• Stir in heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 2–3 minutes.

• Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

• Add cooked pasta, toss to coat. If too thick, loosen with a splash of reserved pasta water.

5. Assemble & Serve:

• Plate the spicy Cajun Alfredo pasta in bowls or on a large serving platter.

• Top with hot garlic butter steak bites.

• Garnish with chopped parsley, extra Parmesan, or a squeeze of lemon if you like.

🌶️ Tips & Variations:

• Extra heat: Add cayenne or hot sauce to the Alfredo sauce.

• Add veggies: Toss in sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the pasta.

• Swap proteins: Use shrimp, chicken, or sausage instead of steak.

• Make it lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream (sauce will be thinner).

Would you like a one-skillet version, a low-carb/keto twist, or even a baked casserole version of this dish?