Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Penne

why make this recipe

This dish is fast, rich, and full of flavor. The steak bites give savory, seared bites. The cream sauce coats penne in a smooth Parmesan flavor. It works for weeknights and easy dinners. If you want more tips for cooking the steak, see garlic butter steak tips with penne.

introduction

Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Penne mixes tender steak cubes with a creamy cheese sauce and penne pasta. The garlic butter adds a bright, rich finish. You can make this in one skillet plus a pot for the pasta. It is simple to cook and feels like a treat.

how to make Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Penne

1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
2. Pat steak cubes dry. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak bites and cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked to your liking. Add minced garlic in the last 30 seconds, tossing to coat. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan (and mozzarella if using) until melted and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.
4. Add cooked penne to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Gently fold in the garlic butter steak bites.
5. Plate the pasta with steak on top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a drizzle of garlic butter.

For a chicken version or to try a milder protein, you can find a close idea at garlic butter chicken penne in creamy parmesan sauce.

Ingredients :

• 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-size cubes
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (optional for extra gooeyness)
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (if needed)
• Fresh parsley (optional garnish)
• Extra Parmesan (optional garnish)
• A drizzle of garlic butter from the steak bites (optional garnish)

how to serve Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Penne

Serve hot on plates or a shallow bowl. Place steak bites on top so they look nice. Add a sprinkle of parsley and extra Parmesan. A small green salad or steamed vegetables pair well.

how to store Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Penne

Cool to room temperature within two hours. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Do not freeze cream sauce dishes — texture can change.

tips to make Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Penne

• Pat steak very dry for a good sear.
• Do not crowd the pan when cooking steak; work in batches if needed.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melt and flavor.
• Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce and help it cling to pasta.
• Keep heat medium-high for steak, then lower to simmer for the cream sauce.

variation (if any)

• Add mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for more veg.
• Use chicken or shrimp instead of steak for a different protein.
• Swap ricotta or cream cheese for part of the cream for a different texture.
• Add red pepper flakes for heat.

FAQs

Q: Can I use a different cut of steak?
A: Yes. Sirloin and ribeye work best for bite pieces. Flank or skirt can work but slice thin and do not overcook.

Q: Can I make the sauce ahead?
A: You can make the sauce and refrigerate, but reheat gently and add a splash of cream or pasta water to restore texture.

Q: What if the sauce is too thick?
A: Stir in reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach the right consistency.

Q: Can I reduce the fat?
A: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich.

Q: How do I know when steak cubes are done?
A: Cook until browned and to your preferred doneness. For medium-rare, aim for about 130–135°F if you use a thermometer.

Conclusion

If you want another take on garlic butter steak with a rich cheese sauce, check this recipe for more ideas: Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Alfredo – Bad Batch Baking.

Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Penne

This fast and flavorful dish combines tender steak cubes with creamy Parmesan sauce over penne pasta, finished with garlic butter for a rich and satisfying meal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-size cubes Use sirloin or ribeye for best results.
• 12 oz penne pasta Cook until al dente.
• 1.5 cups heavy cream For a rich sauce.
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated is best.
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella Optional for extra gooeyness.
• 2 tbsp butter For cooking steak and sauce.
• 1 tbsp olive oil For cooking the steak.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced Adds flavor to the sauce and steak.
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika For seasoning the steak.
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning Optional for added flavor.
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water Used if needed to thin the sauce.
• Salt & black pepper, to taste Seasoning for steak and sauce.
• Fresh parsley (optional garnish) For serving.
• Extra Parmesan (optional garnish) For serving.
• A drizzle of garlic butter from the steak bites (optional garnish) For extra flavor.

Method

 

Pasta Preparation

1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.

Cook Steak

1. Pat steak cubes dry. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add steak bites and cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked to your liking.
4. Add minced garlic in the last 30 seconds, tossing to coat.
5. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.

Make Cream Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
3. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Stir in Parmesan (and mozzarella if using) until melted and creamy.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.

Combine and Serve

1. Add cooked penne to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
2. Gently fold in the garlic butter steak bites.
3. Plate the pasta with steak on top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a drizzle of garlic butter.

Notes

Cool to room temperature within two hours. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Do not freeze cream sauce dishes as texture can change. Pat steak dry for a good sear and do not crowd the pan when cooking steak; work in batches if needed.