Description
Enjoy a decadent and flavorful Cajun Garlic Butter Rigatoni featuring tender seared beef strips. This creamy pasta dish combines rich butter, aromatic garlic, smoky Cajun seasoning, and Parmesan cheese to create a satisfying and indulgent meal that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz Rigatoni Pasta
Beef
- 1 lb Beef Sirloin or Ribeye, sliced into strips
Sauce
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic, freshly minced
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning, divided
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
Garnish
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 splash Oil for searing beef
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of oil. Season the beef strips with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Sear the beef in the hot skillet for about 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the beef and set aside.
- Cook the Rigatoni: In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil with generous salt. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 10–12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and in the same skillet used for the beef, melt the unsalted butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning.
- Make it Creamy: Pour in the heavy cream and increase heat to medium-high. Stir continuously and let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Toss Pasta and Beef: Add the cooked rigatoni directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Return the seared beef strips to the skillet and mix in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Finalize and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and smoked paprika for an added smoky flavor. Serve immediately while hot for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Use fresh Parmesan for optimal flavor and texture.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount according to your spice preference.
- To make this dish more tender, let the beef strips rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
