Cajun Steak Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan (Print Version)

Tender steak tips with Cajun spices, creamy rigatoni, and bubbly parmesan cheese in an irresistible, hearty meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Steak Tips

01 - 680 g sirloin or ribeye steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 - 1.5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheesy Parmesan Rigatoni

09 - 340 g rigatoni pasta
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 360 ml heavy cream
13 - 120 ml whole milk
14 - 115 g cream cheese, softened
15 - 100 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 110 g shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 0.5 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
18 - Salt, to taste
19 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
20 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 120 ml pasta water, and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In a bowl, toss steak tips with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sear steak tips in the skillet for 3–4 minutes per side until deeply browned and cooked to preferred doneness. Add 1 tablespoon butter during the last minute, basting the meat. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
03 - Using the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour in heavy cream and milk, then whisk in softened cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
04 - Gradually stir in grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese along with 0.5 teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Whisk until the sauce is thickened and cheese is well blended. Season with salt and pepper as needed. If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
05 - Add the cooked rigatoni into the sauce, tossing gently until pasta is evenly coated. Carefully fold in the Cajun steak tips. Simmer on low heat for 2–3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Transfer to serving dishes and garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot and at peak creaminess.

# Notes:

01 - Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce's consistency as needed.
02 - Allow the steak tips to rest for a minute after searing to maximize tenderness.

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