Go Back Email Link
Juicy steak medallions on rigatoni pasta smothered in tomato cream sauce, garnished with fresh parsley.

Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni – Creamy, Savory Pasta Dinner in One Skillet

Molly
This garlic butter steak tips with cheesy rigatoni recipe brings together juicy sirloin bites seared in garlic butter and tossed with creamy, melty rigatoni pasta. It’s a one-pan, high-protein dinner that’s quick enough for weeknights and decadent enough for date night.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American Comfort
Servings 4 servings
Calories 610 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb sirloin steak tips cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream or milk
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Boil Pasta: Cook rigatoni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Sear Steak Tips: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Season steak with salt and pepper. Add 1 tbsp butter and sear steak tips in batches for 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  • Make Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter and garlic to the pan. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in cream, mozzarella, and parmesan. Mix until melted and smooth.
  • Toss Pasta and Steak: Add rigatoni and steak tips back to the skillet. Stir to coat evenly. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through.
  • Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot. Extra parmesan on top is always a good idea.

Notes

Secret Tips for Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni

1. Sear for Maximum Flavor: Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the steak tips—this ensures a rich, golden crust instead of steaming the meat.
2. Deglaze with Wine or Broth: After searing, splash in a little white wine or beef broth to lift those caramelized bits from the pan. It deepens the flavor of your garlic butter sauce.
3. Use Fresh Garlic: Skip the jarred stuff—freshly minced garlic gives this dish that punchy, buttery kick it deserves.
4. Undercook the Pasta Slightly: Drain the rigatoni when it’s just shy of al dente. It’ll finish cooking in the sauce, soaking up all that creamy, garlicky goodness.
5. Finish with Broiler Magic: Pop the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes to bubble and lightly brown the cheesy top—total game changer.
Keyword cheesy rigatoni pasta with steak, creamy garlic butter pasta with steak, easy garlic steak tips skillet meal, garlic butter steak tips recipe, high protein steak and pasta recipe, skillet steak tips and pasta, steak pasta dinner idea