Description
Bold, creamy, and packed with flavor, this Creamy Cajun Butter Tender Steak Pasta Skillet is the ultimate one-pan dinner idea. Tender steak seared to perfection meets a rich, spicy Cajun cream sauce tossed with penne pasta — all made in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re after a quick dinner, an indulgent comfort meal, or easy food ideas for weeknights, this skillet recipe delivers on all fronts. It’s a quick dinner, perfect for when you need something satisfying without the fuss. Great for anyone looking for easy recipes, hearty food ideas, or flavorful dinner ideas.
Ingredients
225g penne pasta
300g sirloin steak (or ribeye, flank)
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, drain pasta, and set aside.
2. Pat the steak dry and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak for 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and let rest.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
4. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce thickens.
5. Add pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
6. Slice the rested steak and place over the pasta. Let it warm through for 1–2 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot, directly from the skillet.
Notes
Let the steak rest after searing to keep it juicy and tender.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth, non-grainy sauce.
Add pasta water gradually to adjust the sauce’s consistency without diluting flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American / Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (¼ recipe)
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: creamy cajun pasta, steak pasta skillet, quick dinner, spicy pasta, easy recipe