This One-Skillet Sweet & Smoky Garlic Butter Steak Pasta is rich, savory, and a little indulgent — seared steak bites tossed with buttery garlic sauce, a touch of sweetness, and perfectly cooked pasta. And the best part? It all comes together in one pan.Here’s the recipe 👇
🥩 One-Skillet Sweet & Smoky Garlic Butter Steak Pasta
🍽️ Serves:
4–6 people
⏱️ Time:
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: ~40 min
Ingredients
For the steak:
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1½ lbs sirloin steak, ribeye, or New York strip, cut into bite-sized cubes
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1 Tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp brown sugar (for that subtle sweetness)
For the pasta & sauce:
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8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or bow-tie works great)
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3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1½ cups beef broth
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1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Cook pasta until al dente (a minute shy of package directions).
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Drain, reserving about ½ cup pasta water, and set aside.
2. Sear the steak
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In a large skillet (cast iron preferred), heat olive oil over medium-high.
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Toss steak pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
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Add steak in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
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Sear 1–2 minutes per side until browned and just cooked through.
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Remove steak to a plate and set aside — don’t wipe out the pan!
3. Make the garlic butter sauce
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In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
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Add 2 Tbsp butter and minced garlic; sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Pour in beef broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom (that’s flavor!).
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Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Combine everything
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Add the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese to the skillet.
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Toss until coated and creamy — add a splash of the reserved pasta water if it gets too thick.
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Return the steak (and any juices) to the skillet.
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Add the last 1 Tbsp butter and toss everything together for 1–2 minutes to melt and coat.
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Taste and adjust seasoning (a pinch more salt or smoked paprika, if needed).
5. Serve
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Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
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Serve hot and watch it disappear. 🤤
💡 Tips & Variations
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Add caramelized onions or mushrooms for extra depth.
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Swap steak for chicken or shrimp if you like.
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Use Cajun seasoning instead of smoked paprika for a Southern twist.
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For extra smokiness, stir in a dash of liquid smoke or chipotle powder.
Would you like me to give you a spicy Cajun or creamy bourbon-glazed version of this pasta next?
