A rich and indulgent pasta dish featuring tender, seared steak tossed with rigatoni in a creamy garlic‑Parmesan sauce—a perfect blend of savory, garlicky, and comforting flavors. This steak pasta feels like something straight from a cozy bistro, but it’s easy enough to make at home in just 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe brings together hearty steak with a luxuriously creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce. It’s the kind of meal I like to make when I want something a little indulgent, whether it’s for a weeknight treat or a special occasion. The seared steak adds richness and depth, while the rigatoni catches all that velvety sauce in every bite. Plus, I can make it all in one pan (aside from the pasta), which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy the meal.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
450 g ribeye steak (about 2 steaks)
-
1 tbsp paprika
-
2 tbsp olive oil
-
2 tsp dried parsley
-
Salt & pepper
-
1 onion, diced
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
2 tbsp butter
-
½ cup chicken stock
-
½ cup double cream (heavy cream)
-
½ cup Parmesan, grated
-
⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
-
300 g rigatoni
-
⅓ cup white wine (optional)
Directions
-
I start by seasoning both sides of the ribeye steaks with paprika, dried parsley, salt, and pepper, then drizzle them with olive oil and rub everything in well.
-
I heat a skillet until it’s smoking hot and sear the steaks for about 1 minute per side until beautifully browned.
-
I add a knob of butter to the pan and baste the steaks for another minute, then remove them to rest.
-
While the steak rests, I bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente.
-
In the same skillet, I melt some butter and sauté the diced onion over medium heat for about 5 minutes until soft.
-
I stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute. If I’m using wine, I deglaze the pan and let it simmer briefly.
-
I pour in the chicken stock and double cream, stirring well and letting the sauce simmer until it slightly thickens.
-
I mix in the Parmesan until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
-
I add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce, tossing everything together. I mix in chopped parsley and a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
-
I slice the rested steak into bite-sized pieces and top the pasta with it, garnishing with extra parsley and Parmesan if I feel fancy.
-
I serve it hot and enjoy immediately.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings.
-
Prep Time: 10 minutes
-
Cook Time: 20 minutes
-
Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
I like to switch things up depending on what I have in the kitchen. Sometimes I use sirloin or flank steak instead of ribeye for a leaner option. If I want a little heat, I sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. When I don’t have wine on hand, I just skip it—the sauce still turns out beautifully. For a veggie twist, I occasionally add sautéed mushrooms or spinach just before tossing the pasta.
storage/reheating
If I have leftovers, I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I’m ready to reheat, I warm it gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or chicken stock to loosen up the sauce.
FAQs
How do I keep the steak tender?
I make sure not to overcook it and always let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. That way, all the juices stay inside and the meat stays tender.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
I prefer it fresh, but I can prep the sauce and steak ahead and just cook the pasta before serving. Reheat gently to maintain the creamy texture.
What’s a good substitute for ribeye?
Sirloin or flank steak works well if I’m looking for a leaner or more affordable option. Both sear nicely and still taste great in the sauce.
Do I need to use white wine?
Nope! I skip it if I don’t have any on hand. The sauce still develops great flavor with the garlic, cream, and chicken stock.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely. I’ve made this with penne, fettuccine, and even tagliatelle. I just stick to something with enough surface or ridges to hold onto the sauce.
Conclusion
This creamy garlic Parmesan steak pasta is one of those dishes I love to pull out when I want something cozy, rich, and satisfying. It brings together bold flavors, tender meat, and a silky sauce in every bite. Whether I’m cooking for guests or just treating myself to a special dinner, this recipe never disappoints.
Print
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Steak Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing & sautéing
- Cuisine: American / Italian‑inspired
Description
A rich and indulgent pasta dish featuring tender, seared steak tossed with rigatoni in a creamy garlic‑Parmesan sauce—a perfect blend of savory, garlicky, and comforting flavors.
Ingredients
- 450 g ribeye steak (about 2 steaks)
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- Salt & pepper
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup chicken stock
- ½ cup double cream (heavy cream)
- ½ cup Parmesan, grated
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 300 g rigatoni
- ⅓ cup white wine (optional)
Instructions
- Season both sides of the ribeye with paprika, dried parsley, salt, and pepper; drizzle with olive oil and rub in.
- Heat a skillet until very hot, then sear the steaks for about 1 minute per side until golden brown.
- Add a knob of butter and baste the steaks for another minute; then remove and set aside to rest.
- Bring salted water to boil and cook rigatoni until al dente.
- In the same pan, add more butter and sauté diced onion over medium heat until soft (about 5 min).
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant; optionally deglaze with white wine and simmer briefly.
- Pour in chicken stock and double cream, stirring; cook until sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in grated Parmesan until smooth; season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Add rigatoni and toss to coat; mix in chopped parsley and a splash of pasta water if needed.
- Slice the rested steak into bite-sized pieces and top pasta; garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Let the steak rest for at least 5–10 minutes before slicing—to keep it juicy.
- Use pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Substitute sirloin or flank steak if preferred—and feel free to skip wine.
- For extra heat, add red pepper flakes.
- Keep leftovers refrigerated and reheat gently with a splash of cream or stock.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx.)
- Calories: 776 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 483 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: n/a
- Unsaturated Fat: n/a
- Trans Fat: n/a
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 156 mg