Description

Craving bold flavor in a creamy, comforting bowl of pasta? This Cajun Garlic Butter Linguine with Tender Beef Strips Rigatoni brings together perfectly seared, juicy steak bites with rich Cajun-spiced garlic butter sauce, clinging to chewy rigatoni noodles. It’s a satisfying fusion of Southern spice and Italian comfort, perfect for quick dinners, bold food ideas, or indulgent weekend meals. A great addition to your list of easy dinner recipes, especially if you’re on the hunt for hearty dinner ideas or one-pot creamy pasta dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb sirloin steak or ribeye, cut into bite-sized cubes

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

Salt and black pepper, to taste

1 tbsp unsalted butter (for searing)

12 oz rigatoni

Salt (for pasta water)

3 tbsp unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated

1½ cups heavy cream

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tbsp Cajun seasoning

½ tsp smoked paprika

¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tsp lemon juice

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

Extra Parmesan and paprika (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Pat beef cubes dry, season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes 2 minutes per side. Add butter for richness. Set aside.

3. Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook rigatoni until just shy of al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain.

4. In a skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter. Sauté minced garlic for 30–60 seconds. Add Cajun seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes.

5. Pour in heavy cream. Simmer gently. Whisk in Parmesan. Let sauce thicken for 3–5 minutes.

6. Add lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Add pasta and toss to coat. Simmer 2–3 minutes more.

7. Add pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.

8. Plate pasta, top with beef cubes. Garnish with parsley, Parmesan, and paprika. Serve hot.

Notes

Let the beef rest at room temperature before searing for even cooking and best texture.

Use freshly grated Parmesan for a creamier, silkier sauce.

Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste, especially if your blend is extra spicy or salty.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun-Italian fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ½ cups pasta with beef
Calories: 685
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 790mg
Fat: 41g
Saturated Fat: 21g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 155mg

Keywords: Cajun pasta, garlic butter, steak pasta, creamy linguine, easy dinner, bold food ideas, beef pasta recipe