Cajun Steak Tips Penne Parmesan (Print Version)

Juicy Cajun-spiced steak meets creamy penne in robust Parmesan sauce with a hint of fresh parsley.

# Ingredients:

→ For the Cajun Steak Tips

01 - 1 1/2 pounds sirloin or ribeye steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon butter
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For the Cheesy Parmesan Penne

08 - 12 ounces penne pasta
09 - 2 tablespoons butter
10 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup whole milk
13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
16 - 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
18 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.
02 - In a mixing bowl, thoroughly coat the steak tips with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the steak tips in a single layer and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side. In the final minute, add a tablespoon of butter and baste the steak with the melted butter. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
05 - Whisk in the heavy cream and whole milk. Add cream cheese and stir until fully incorporated and smooth.
06 - Add shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Stir until the sauce thickens. Adjust consistency with a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
07 - Add the cooked penne and seared steak tips to the skillet. Gently fold everything together and simmer for several minutes to meld the flavors.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley. Optional: Sprinkle extra cheese on top and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and bubbly.

# Notes:

01 - Reserve some pasta water to help achieve a silky sauce consistency if the mixture thickens too much.

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