Creamy Cajun Steak Penne Pasta
This dish combines rich flavors of steak with a creamy, zesty Cajun sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Meat-Based
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound steak (sirloin or ribeye), sliced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, keeping a little pasta water if you’d like to adjust the sauce later.
- Sear the steak: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the sliced steak with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add to the skillet and sear until it reaches your desired level of doneness (about 3-5 minutes). Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine: Add the cooked penne pasta and seared steak back to the skillet, tossing everything to coat in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Transfer to serving plates and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
For a dairy-free option, consider using coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan.