Description
Savor a delightful combination of tender garlic butter steak bites paired with creamy shell pasta. This quick and easy skillet recipe blends savory sirloin steak with a rich garlic, thyme, and Parmesan cream sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak Bites
- 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Creamy Shell Pasta
- 8 oz shell pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the shell pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the pasta water, and set aside.
- Brown the Steak Bites: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed sirloin steak and season evenly with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sear the steak cubes for 4-5 minutes until browned on all sides and cooked to preferred doneness. Remove the steak bites from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Thyme: In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the fresh thyme leaves to release their aroma.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Combine Steak with Pasta: Return the steak bites to the skillet and gently toss everything together to combine the steak, pasta, and cream sauce. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for color and freshness. Serve the creamy garlic butter steak bites and shell pasta immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use sirloin steak for tender, flavorful bites that cook quickly.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the cream sauce consistency to your liking.
- Be careful not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Fresh thyme adds an aromatic, earthy flavor—substitute with dried if unavailable but reduce quantity by half.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Garlic Butter Steak Bites, Creamy Pasta, Sirloin Steak, Shell Pasta, Quick Dinner, Skillet Recipe, Easy Weeknight Meal
