Spicy Steak Pasta Dinner (Printable Format)

Juicy steak bites and twisted pasta smothered in a rich, spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce. The perfect combo of creamy, spicy and savory in one dish.

# What You'll Gather:

→ For the Steak

01 - 1.5 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 4 tablespoons butter
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - Salt and pepper to taste
08 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

→ For the Cajun Pasta

09 - 12 ounces twisted pasta (rotini or fusilli work great)
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
13 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
14 - 1 tablespoon butter
15 - Salt and pepper to taste
16 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package directions. Before draining, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside - this is liquid gold for thinning your sauce later if needed. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
02 - While the pasta is cooking, get your steak ready. Season the cubed steak all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it's nice and hot. Add the steak cubes and let them sear for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally so they brown on all sides. Try not to crowd the pan - you want them to sear, not steam. Once browned, remove the steak from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
03 - In the same skillet (don't clean it - those brown bits are flavor!), reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once it's melted, toss in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until it smells amazing but hasn't browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic or it'll taste bitter.
04 - To your garlic butter, add the heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until it's completely melted and your sauce is smooth and creamy.
05 - Add your cooked pasta directly to the sauce in the skillet, tossing it around to coat every piece with that creamy Cajun goodness. If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some of that reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Finally, add your cooked steak bites back to the skillet and gently mix everything together, letting the steak warm through in the sauce.
06 - Spoon this decadent pasta onto plates, making sure everyone gets plenty of those flavorful steak bites. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while it's hot and the sauce is perfectly creamy.

# Important Tips:

01 - This dish brings together the richness of garlic butter steak with the bold flavors of Cajun seasoning for a restaurant-quality pasta dinner.
02 - You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spice level - start with less if you're sensitive to heat.
03 - For best results, don't overcook your steak - medium-rare to medium works perfectly in this pasta.

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