This indulgent dish combines tender, garlicky steak tips with creamy, cheesy rigatoni pasta for the ultimate comfort food experience. The savory steak pairs perfectly with the rich pasta, creating a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni recipe is a crowd-pleaser that brings together the best of both worlds: succulent beef and creamy pasta. You’ll love how the garlic butter creates an irresistible coating on the steak tips, while the cheesy sauce clings to every ridge of the rigatoni. Perfect for special occasions or when you’re craving something hearty and satisfying, this dish comes together in just 35 minutes, making it doable even on a weeknight. The combination of textures and flavors—tender meat, al dente pasta, and velvety cheese sauce—creates a memorable meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Steak tips are the star of this dish, offering tender, juicy bites of beef that soak up all the delicious flavors. Choose well-marbled pieces for the best texture and flavor. If you can’t find steak tips specifically, sirloin, ribeye, or tenderloin cut into chunks work wonderfully.
Unsalted butter creates the luxurious base for our garlic butter, allowing you to control the salt level in the recipe. The butter browns slightly as it cooks, adding a nutty depth to the steak tips.
Garlic cloves provide that unmistakable aromatic flavor that permeates the dish. Fresh minced garlic is preferable for its vibrant flavor, but pre-minced garlic can save time in a pinch.
Olive oil helps prevent the butter from burning while searing the steak at high temperatures. It also adds its own subtle flavor to the meat.
Smoked paprika brings a gentle smokiness and beautiful color to the steak tips. Regular paprika can be substituted if that’s what you have on hand, though you’ll lose some of that distinctive smoky quality.
Salt and pepper are essential for bringing out the natural flavors of the steak. Don’t be shy with the seasoning—beef loves a generous hand with salt.
Rigatoni pasta is the perfect shape for this dish, as its large tubes and ridged exterior capture the cheesy sauce beautifully. Penne or ziti make good alternatives if rigatoni isn’t available.
Mozzarella cheese contributes that coveted stretchy, melty texture to the sauce. Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for the smoothest melting.
Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty bite that balances the richness of the sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and provide more flavor than the pre-grated variety.
Heavy cream forms the silky base of the cheese sauce, providing richness and helping to create that velvety texture. Half-and-half can be used for a lighter version, though the sauce won’t be quite as decadent.
Garlic powder infuses the cheese sauce with garlic flavor, complementing the fresh garlic used with the steak. It distributes evenly throughout the sauce, ensuring consistent flavor in every bite.
Directions
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season steak tips with paprika, salt, and pepper, and sear for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Reduce heat to low, add butter and minced garlic, stirring to coat the steak tips in garlic butter. Set aside.
- In another pan, heat butter, then add garlic powder, heavy cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir until cheese melts and the sauce thickens.
- Mix the cooked rigatoni into the cheesy sauce, then fold in the steak tips. Serve warm.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 4 generous servings, perfect for a family dinner. You’ll need about 10 minutes for preparation and 25 minutes for cooking, bringing the total time to approximately 35 minutes. Each serving contains about 550 calories, making it a substantial main course. For a complete meal, consider serving with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.
Variations
Chicken Substitute: Replace steak tips with boneless chicken thighs or breasts cut into bite-sized pieces for a less expensive option.
Vegetable Boost: Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, or broccoli for extra nutrition and color.
Spicy Version: Incorporate red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the steak seasoning for a kick of heat.
Seafood Twist: Substitute shrimp or scallops for the steak tips, reducing the cooking time to about 2 minutes per side.
Herb Enhancement: Add fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or thyme to brighten the flavors, either mixed into the sauce or sprinkled on top before serving.
Whole Wheat Option: Use whole wheat rigatoni for a higher fiber content.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making for an even more delicious next-day meal.
Freezing: While possible to freeze, the texture of the cheese sauce may change upon thawing. If freezing, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating on Stovetop: For best results, reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to revitalize the sauce as it may thicken when cold.
Microwave Method: Reheat in the microwave at 70% power, stirring every 30 seconds until heated through (about 2-3 minutes total for a single serving). This helps prevent the sauce from separating.
Separate Components: If possible, store the steak tips separately from the pasta and sauce to maintain their texture, combining them only when reheating.
FAQs
What cut of beef is best for steak tips?
Sirloin, ribeye, or tenderloin make excellent choices for steak tips. Look for well-marbled meat, which stays tender and juicy during cooking. If you can find actual “steak tips” or “sirloin tips” at your butcher, these are specifically cut for dishes like this.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare components ahead of time—cook the pasta and store it separately, and prepare the cheese sauce—but it’s best to cook the steak tips just before serving for optimal tenderness. Assemble everything just before serving for the freshest results.
How do I know when the steak tips are done?
For medium-rare steak tips, cook until they reach an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C). They should be browned on the outside with a juicy pink center. Add or subtract cooking time based on your preferred doneness.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While rigatoni’s ridges and tube shape make it perfect for holding onto the cheesy sauce, other short pasta varieties like penne, ziti, or even farfalle (bow ties) work well too. Avoid long pasta like spaghetti or linguine, which won’t capture the sauce as effectively.
What can I substitute for heavy cream?
Half-and-half or whole milk can work as substitutes, though the sauce won’t be as rich. For a dairy-free option, full-fat coconut milk provides comparable creaminess, though it will impart a subtle coconut flavor.
How can I make this recipe lighter?
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, reduce the amount of cheese, and opt for leaner cuts of beef. You could also increase the ratio of pasta to steak and cheese sauce, or add more vegetables to the dish.
Why is my cheese sauce grainy?
This typically happens when cheese is added to too hot a liquid or heated too quickly. To prevent this, remove the cream from direct heat before adding cheese, and stir continuously as the cheese melts gradually into the warm cream.
What sides pair well with this dish?
A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette, steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts, or garlic bread make excellent accompaniments. The rich nature of the dish pairs well with lighter, fresher sides.
How do I prevent the steak from becoming tough?
Avoid overcooking the steak tips, as this is the primary cause of toughness. Keep the pieces relatively uniform in size for even cooking, and let the meat rest for a few minutes after searing before adding it to the pasta.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni combines two comfort food favorites into one irresistible dish. The garlicky, tender steak tips pair perfectly with the creamy, cheese-coated pasta, creating a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare at home. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just craving something indulgent, this dish delivers rich flavor in every bite. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility—feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables or herbs to make it your own. With straightforward instructions and common ingredients, you’ll find yourself returning to this crowd-pleasing recipe again and again.
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Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni
Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni combines tender steak bites in a creamy, cheesy pasta dish for a comforting and hearty meal.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season steak tips with paprika, salt, and pepper, and sear for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Reduce heat to low, add butter and minced garlic, stirring to coat the steak tips in garlic butter. Set aside.
- In another pan, heat butter, then add garlic powder, heavy cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir until cheese melts and the sauce thickens.
- Mix the cooked rigatoni into the cheesy sauce, then fold in the steak tips. Serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure the steak tips are not overcooked for the best texture.
- You can use other types of pasta if rigatoni is unavailable.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
