Nostalgic Appeal
This dish reminds me of those classic steakhouse dinners, but with a more casual and approachable twist. The combination of tender steak, garlic butter, and creamy tomato sauce is a timeless classic for a reason. It’s a meal that evokes feelings of indulgence, comfort, and pure satisfaction.
Homemade Focus
While you could certainly buy pre-made steak tips or sauce, there’s something truly special about making this Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni from scratch. You control the quality of the ingredients, and the process of cooking the steak, preparing the sauce, and combining it all with the pasta is surprisingly simple and rewarding.
Flavor Goal
The flavor profile I’m aiming for is a delightful combination of savory, buttery, garlicky, cheesy, and herbal flavors. The steak tips are seared to perfection in garlic butter, creating a flavorful crust. The tomato-herb sauce adds a rich and creamy element that complements the steak beautifully, and the rigatoni pasta provides a hearty base for the dish.
Ingredient Insights
Let’s explore the key ingredients that make this dish so special! For the steak tips, we use [strip steaks, seasoned with Kinder’s Buttery Steak Seasoning or your favorite steak seasoning, and seared in olive oil and butter for a flavorful crust]. Then comes the [garlic, adding a fragrant and savory touch]. For the sauce, we combine [chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, and sun-dried tomatoes, creating a rich and flavorful sauce with a hint of heat]. And finally, the [rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente for a perfect texture].
Essential Equipment
For this recipe, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment: a skillet for cooking the steak tips and making the sauce, a pot for cooking the pasta, and measuring spoons.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 2 strip steaks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- Kinder’s Buttery Steak Seasoning (or your favorite steak seasoning)
- Kinder’s The Blend Seasoning (or salt, pepper, and garlic powder)
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- â…“ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
For the Pasta:
- 16 oz rigatoni
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare and Cook the Steak: Season the steaks with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and steak seasoning. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook steaks for 5 minutes per side, basting with melted butter. Rest steaks under foil.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth. Lower heat and add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer until thickened.
- Combine with Pasta: Toss the drained pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the steak against the grain. Serve over pasta, garnished with fresh Parmesan cheese.
Troubleshooting
- Steak is overcooked: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the steak reaches your desired level of doneness. Avoid overcooking the steak in the sauce.
- Sauce is too thin: Cook the sauce for a longer time to allow it to reduce and thicken. You can also add a bit more Parmesan cheese to thicken it.
- Sauce is too thick: Add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Tips and Variations
- Use different cuts of steak, such as filet mignon or ribeye.
- Add different vegetables to the sauce, such as sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Use different types of pasta, such as penne, rotini, or spaghetti.
- Adjust the level of spice by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a side salad and some crusty bread for dipping into the sauce. It’s perfect for a special occasion, a romantic dinner, or any time you want an elegant and flavorful meal.
Nutritional Information (Estimated, per serving)
(This information is an estimate based on average values for the ingredients used and a serving size of 1 1/2 cups. Actual values may vary depending on specific brands, ingredient substitutions, and portion sizes.)
- Calories: Approximately 700-750
- Fat: Approximately 40-45g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 20-22g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 150-170mg
- Protein: Approximately 40-45g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-55g
- Fiber: Approximately 3-4g
- Sugar: Approximately 5-7g
- Sodium: Approximately 800-900mg (may vary depending on the type of steak seasoning and cheese used)
To get more precise nutritional information:
- Use a nutrition calculator: Many online calculators allow you to input the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. This will give you the most accurate results.
- Check food labels: Pay close attention to the nutrition facts panels on the packaging of your ingredients.
- Adjust for variations: If you make substitutions (e.g., different type of pasta), adjust the calculations accordingly.
Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: A Flavorful Feast
Description
This Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni recipe is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in. Learn how to make this flavorful and elegant dish with our step-by-step guide
Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 2 strip steaks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- Kinder’s Buttery Steak Seasoning (or your favorite steak seasoning)
- Kinder’s The Blend Seasoning (or salt, pepper, and garlic powder)
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- â…“ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
For the Pasta:
- 16 oz rigatoni
Instructions
- Prepare and Cook the Steak: Season the steaks with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and steak seasoning. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook steaks for 5 minutes per side, basting with melted butter. Rest steaks under foil.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth. Lower heat and add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer until thickened.
- Combine with Pasta: Toss the drained pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the steak against the grain. Serve over pasta, garnished with fresh Parmesan cheese.
Recipe Summary and Q&A
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: It’s best to cook the steak and make the sauce fresh for optimal flavor and texture. However, you can cook the steak tips and make the sauce a few hours ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Reheat them together when you’re ready to serve.
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: It’s not recommended to freeze this dish, as the texture of the steak and sauce may be affected.
Q: Can I use a different type of meat?
A: Absolutely! You can substitute strip steaks with other cuts of beef, such as ribeye or sirloin, or even try it with chicken or pork.