I absolutely love this Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe because it combines tender, juicy steak with a luscious, velvety sauce that wraps every forkful in comfort. It’s the kind of dish that feels fancy enough for a date night but comes together quickly enough for a satisfying weeknight meal. You’ll find it hits all the right notes: rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying.
When I first tried this recipe, I was surprised how the flavors melded so perfectly, thanks to simple ingredients like garlic, rosemary, and Parmesan. Honestly, it’s become a go-to anytime I crave something indulgent without a lot of fuss. Plus, the creaminess paired with perfectly cooked pasta makes it a crowd-pleaser—your family or friends will definitely go crazy for it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples that come together to create something extraordinary.
- Quick to Make: Ready in about 35 minutes, perfect for busy evenings without compromising on flavor.
- Versatile Dish: Easy to tweak with different herbs, pasta shapes, or protein cuts to suit your taste.
- Comfort Food at Its Best: Creamy, hearty, and utterly satisfying for any pasta lover.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe really comes from balancing rich, savory steak with a smooth, garlicky sauce. When shopping, I always choose quality steak cuts and fresh garlic for the best results.
- Olive oil: A good base for searing your steak, bringing out beautiful browning.
- Rump steaks: Affordable and flavorful, perfect for slicing thin and tender in this dish.
- Butter: Adds richness to both the steak and the pasta sauce for that creamy finish.
- Garlic cloves: Essential for that mellow, aromatic undercurrent in both steak and sauce.
- Rosemary sprig: Gives the steak a lovely herbal note that pairs beautifully with beef.
- Pasta: I prefer something like penne or rigatoni that holds sauce well, but feel free to use your favorite.
- Italian seasoning: A blend that adds a subtle Mediterranean flair to the sauce.
- Low-sodium chicken stock: Enhances the sauce’s depth without overpowering the creaminess.
- Heavy cream: The star of the sauce, making it decadently creamy.
- Parmesan cheese: Sharp and nutty, it melts into the sauce for an irresistible finish.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens up the dish with fresh, herbaceous notes.
- Salt and black pepper: To season everything perfectly to your taste.
Variations
One of the things I love about this creamy steak pasta recipe is how adaptable it is. I often tweak it depending on what’s in season or simply to satisfy a craving for something a little different.
- Mushroom Addition: I sometimes add sautéed mushrooms for extra earthiness—my family can’t get enough of this twist.
- Switch the Meat: Using ribeye instead of rump makes it even more tender and flavorful if you’re looking to splurge.
- Herb Swaps: Fresh thyme or oregano can replace rosemary for a slightly different but equally delicious aroma.
- Dairy-Free Version: I’ve used coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan to make a creamy, dairy-free version that’s surprisingly good.
How to Make Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Sear Your Steaks to Perfection
Start by seasoning your rump steaks generously with salt and pepper—don’t be shy here. Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering, then add your steaks. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until you get a lovely brown crust. I discovered this trick: don’t move them around too much—let that crust develop. Then, add butter, finely chopped garlic, and a sprig of rosemary to the pan. Spoon the garlic butter over the steaks while cooking them to your preferred doneness. After cooking, let the steaks rest for at least five minutes before slicing thinly; this step locks in the juices and keeps them moist.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta Just Right
While your steaks rest, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it’s just al dente—this is key for texture since it will finish cooking in the sauce. I always save 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining; that starchy water helps loosen the sauce later and bind everything together beautifully.
Step 3: Whip Up That Creamy Sauce
In the same skillet (because flavor gets intensified this way), melt two tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook gently for a minute until fragrant—don’t let it burn! Stir in Italian seasoning, then pour in the chicken stock and let it simmer for a minute or two. Next, add the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer a bit more until it thickens up nicely; this can take a couple of minutes. The smell alone will make you want to dive right in.
Step 4: Combine and Finish
Now it’s time to add the cooked pasta and sliced steak into your creamy sauce skillet. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and toss everything together until the cheese melts and the sauce clings to every bit. If your pasta looks a little dry, adding a splash of that reserved pasta water will bring it all back to silky perfection. Just before serving, toss in chopped fresh parsley and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe
- Rest the Steak Properly: Letting the steak rest keeps it juicy and prevents the sauce from getting watery.
- Use Reserved Pasta Water: This starchy liquid helps loosen the sauce just enough without watering down the flavors.
- Cook Garlic Gently: Avoid burning the garlic to keep the sauce smooth and aromatic instead of bitter.
- Slice Steak Thinly: Thin slices help every bite have a balance of steak and sauce, enhancing the creamy pasta experience.
How to Serve Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top for an even cheesier hit. A few fresh parsley leaves or a light drizzle of good quality olive oil finishes the dish with a bright and glossy touch that always impresses guests.
Side Dishes
To balance the richness of this creamy steak pasta, I love serving it alongside a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. Garlic bread or crusty bread is also a fantastic side for soaking up every last bit of that amazing sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I sometimes plate the pasta individually in shallow bowls, topping each with a few slices of steak and a sprig of rosemary or thyme for a rustic, elegant vibe. Serving it family-style in a big casserole dish works beautifully too, encouraging everyone to dig in and savor the creamy goodness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The sauce thickens overnight, so before reheating, I add a splash of milk or cream to loosen it back up and keep that creamy texture.
Freezing
Freezing creamy pasta can be a bit tricky because dairy sometimes separates, but if you freeze in portion-sized containers and thaw slowly in the fridge, it works okay. Just know the texture may be a little different, so I prefer to make this fresh whenever possible.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a little cream or stock to bring the sauce back to life. Microwaving works too, just make sure to stir it every minute or so to heat evenly and avoid curdling.
FAQs
-
Can I use a different cut of steak for this Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe?
Absolutely! While rump steak is affordable and flavorful, you can use ribeye, sirloin, or even flank steak depending on your budget and taste. Just make sure to adjust cooking times since thicker or leaner cuts may cook differently.
-
Is there an easy way to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Swap heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream and use nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan for a dairy-free version. The texture will be slightly different but still creamy and delicious.
-
How do I know when my pasta is cooked al dente for this recipe?
Al dente means the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite. Test by tasting the pasta a minute or two before the package’s suggested cooking time—if it’s just slightly underdone, it’s perfect for finishing in the creamy sauce without getting mushy.
-
Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?
You can season and slice the steak ahead of time, or even cook the steak and store it separately in the fridge, but I find the best flavor and texture come from cooking the sauce and assembling everything fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to make whenever I want a dish that feels special yet is totally doable on a busy day. Its creamy, garlicky sauce with tender steak strips is just so comforting and flavorful—it’s like a warm hug on a plate. I really hope you give it a try because I know once you taste how easy and delicious it is, it’ll quickly become a regular in your rotation too!
PrintCreamy Steak Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Creamy Steak Pasta recipe combines tender, juicy rump steaks with a rich, velvety cream sauce infused with garlic, rosemary, and Italian seasoning. Perfectly cooked pasta is tossed in the luscious sauce and topped with Parmesan and fresh parsley, creating a comforting and elegant meal ideal for dinner.
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 rump steaks (about 1 lb / 450 g total)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 sprig rosemary
For the Pasta
- 8 oz (250 g) pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream
- 1/3 cup Parmesan, grated
- A handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Steaks: Season your rump steaks generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the steaks and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until a brown crust forms.
- Add Butter, Garlic, and Rosemary: Add the butter, chopped garlic, and rosemary sprig to the pan with the steaks. Spoon the melted butter over the steaks while cooking until done to your liking. Remove the steaks and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Sauce: Melt butter in a skillet (reuse the steak pan if large enough). Add chopped garlic and cook over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Stir in Italian seasoning, then pour in chicken stock and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Add Cream and Thicken Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and continue simmering for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta, Steak, and Sauce: Add cooked pasta and sliced steak to the sauce pan. Stir in grated Parmesan. If the pasta looks dry, add some reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in chopped parsley. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top if desired.
Notes
- Allowing the steak to rest after cooking helps retain its juices and ensures it remains tender.
- Reserving pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- You can swap rump steak for sirloin or ribeye based on preference.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables to add freshness.
- Use low-sodium chicken stock to control salt levels in the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 760 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg