Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream is an easy, better-than-takeout dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly tender steak bites every time. The crispy edges, melty Parmesan, and creamy garlic butter sauce make this dish irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy High-Protein Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers and Classic Cucumber Feta Salad Recipe.
Why This Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream Is Pure Comfort
- Tender steak bites coated in a rich garlic butter sauce
- Creamy Parmesan pasta that's ready in one pot
- Better than takeout and ready in just 20 minutes
- Easy cleanup with minimal dishes
What You'll Need for Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Steak
- Butter
- Garlic
- Pasta
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Parsley
- Heavy Cream
- Optional: Fresh Parsley
- Optional: Grated Parmesan Cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Steak: Sirloin or flank steak works best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Easy sauce blending right in the pan. → See on Amazon
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream
- Step 1: Cut steak into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Step 2: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak and cook until browned and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 4: Add garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy. If needed, thin the sauce with reserved pasta water.
- Step 5: Return steak to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Serve over pasta, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream
- Common mistake and fix: Overcrowding the pan can lead to steak releasing too much liquid and not searing properly. Cook the steak in batches if needed.
- Pro tip: For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Pro tip: To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure your heavy cream is GF certified.
Storing & Reheating Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the steak bites and cook the pasta up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, follow steps 4 and 5.
Freezing Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream
Freeze cooked steak bites and pasta separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Stir occasionally.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, use thinly sliced steak or cut the steak into smaller pieces.
- Best substitution: Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the steak bites and cook the pasta up to 1 day ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Steak Knife Set — Clean cuts for perfectly even steak bites. → Check price on Amazon
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Steak
- Butter
- Garlic
- Pasta
- Parmesan Cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Parsley
- Heavy Cream
Optional Toppings
- Fresh Parsley
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut steak into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Step 2: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak and cook until browned and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 4: Add garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy. If needed, thin the sauce with reserved pasta water.
- Step 5: Return steak to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Serve over pasta, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, use thinly sliced steak or cut the steak into smaller pieces.
- Best substitution: Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the steak bites and cook the pasta up to 1 day ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked steak bites and pasta separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Stir occasionally.
- Make ahead: Prepare the steak bites and cook the pasta up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, follow steps 4 and 5.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 42g
- Fat: 36g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 160mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the steak bites and cook the pasta up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge and follow steps 4 and 5 when ready to serve.
Overcooking or using the wrong type of steak can lead to tough steak bites. Use sirloin or flank steak and cook until just browned and crispy.
Yes, cook the steak bites in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes or until browned and crispy. Finish the dish in a skillet on the stove.
You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use half-and-half for a lighter option.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd. Cook the steak in batches if needed and adjust the sauce ingredients accordingly.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta & Parmesan Cream and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
