A delightful blend of Cajun spices and creamy cheese sauce, featuring tender steak tips and penne pasta.
Author:serba
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Searing and Saucing
Cuisine:Louisiana
Diet:None
Ingredients
Scale
1 1/2 lbs sirloin or ribeye steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
12 oz penne pasta
2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning (for the sauce)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Boil salted water in a large pot. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
Pat steak tips dry and coat them with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak tips for 3–4 minutes per side until browned. Add butter for a rich finish, then transfer to a plate.
Pour in heavy cream and milk, whisk in cream cheese until melted. Gradually add Parmesan and mozzarella, stirring until creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and reserved pasta water if needed.
Add cooked penne to the sauce and stir to coat. Return steak tips to skillet, fold everything together, and warm for 1–2 minutes.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For optimal flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice preference.