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Steak Bites and Shells Garlic Butter Alfredo

A delicious dish combining juicy steak and creamy pasta in a rich garlic butter Alfredo sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta

  • 12 ounces medium shell-shaped pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for cooking

For the Steak

  • 1 pound ribeye or sirloin steak (diced into bite-sized pieces) use your preferred cut
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin preferred
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)

For the Alfredo Sauce

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend
  • 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped) for sauce
  • 3 tablespoons butter (unsalted) for sauce

For Garnish

  • to taste fresh parsley (roughly chopped)
  • to taste additional Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Bring a generously salted pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook the shell pasta until just tender, around 10 minutes. Drain, reserving half a cup of the cooking liquid, and set aside.
  • Blot the steak pieces with paper towels until dry. Sprinkle them evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika.

Cooking the Steak

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil with 2 tablespoons of butter. Arrange the steak cubes in a single layer and sear them for about 2–3 minutes per side until deeply browned and cooked to your preferred doneness.
  • Add the minced garlic in the final minute of cooking to infuse the steak with flavor. Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Making the Alfredo Sauce

  • Using the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about one minute, or until fragrant.
  • Pour in the heavy cream, seasoning with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
  • Gradually incorporate the Parmesan cheese into the cream, whisking continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and rich.

Combining All Ingredients

  • Toss the drained shell pasta into the sauce, mixing well to ensure each piece is coated. If the sauce appears too dense, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is achieved.
  • Carefully fold the steak bites into the pasta and sauce, letting everything warm together for a minute or two.

Serving

  • Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For more flavor, marinate the steak bites for a few hours before cooking. Use fresh garlic for the best taste. Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when searing the steak for a nice crust. If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 25gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g
Keyword Comfort Food, Creamy Pasta, Garlic Butter Alfredo, Quick Dinner, Steak Bites
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