Description
Tender chunks of steak coated in smoky Cajun spices meet ultra-creamy garlic cheese–smothered pasta shells in this cozy, flavor-packed skillet dinner. It’s bold, indulgent, and surprisingly easy—perfect for a low-effort weeknight or a swoon-worthy dinner at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Cajun Steak Bites
- 1½ pounds sirloin or ribeye, sliced into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons Cajun spice blend
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- Salt and black pepper, as needed
- Fresh parsley, minced (for finishing)
Cheesy Garlic Shells
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ cup pasta cooking water (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta shells until just tender but still firm to the bite. Scoop out about ¼ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set the shells aside.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the steak pieces. Place them in a bowl and coat evenly with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle in the olive oil. Add the steak in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook for about 2–3 minutes per side until browned. During the final minute, drop in the butter and garlic, tossing the steak to soak up the flavor. Transfer steak to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium and, without cleaning the skillet, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant—about 60 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to lift up all those flavorful browned bits from the pan. Let it gently warm until just starting to simmer.
- Stir in the cheddar, Parmesan, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Keep stirring until the cheese melts into a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet and toss until fully coated. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Nestle the steak bites back into the skillet or scatter them over the top. Finish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course