Description
A quick and indulgent weeknight dinner featuring seared steak and penne pasta tossed in a rich, creamy Cajun sauce with cream cheese and Parmesan.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ribeye or sirloin steak
- 1 box penne pasta (preferably penne rigate)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2–3 tbsp Cajun seasoning (e.g., Slap Ya Mama or Tony Chachere’s)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Salted water for boiling pasta
- Reserved starchy pasta water
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Add penne and cook until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Generously coat both sides with Cajun seasoning, pressing spices into the meat.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of butter. Once foaming, add the steak and sear for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove steak to a plate and tent with foil to rest for 10 minutes.
- In the same skillet, add more butter if needed. Reduce heat to medium. Sauté minced garlic and chopped shallots for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and soft.
- Pour in heavy cream and scrape up brown bits from the pan bottom. Stir in softened cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Whisk continuously until melted and smooth (3-5 minutes).
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water gradually if the sauce is too thick.
- Slice the rested steak against the grain into thin strips. Add steak to the pasta and toss gently.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and extra Cajun seasoning if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Rest the steak for at least 10 minutes to retain juices. Use starchy pasta water to emulsify the sauce. Slice steak against the grain for tenderness. If the sauce separates, whisk in a splash of cold pasta water or cream to re-emulsify. Do not freeze this dish as the cream sauce may break.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with pasta a
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 45
- Saturated Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
Keywords: Cajun steak, creamy pasta, penne recipe, quick dinner, weeknight meals, steak pasta, spicy cream sauce, easy recipes