Description
Delectable steak bites and rotini shine in this garlic parmesan sauce recipe from Italian culinary traditions. Quick weeknight dinners become gourmet experiences when paired with fresh ingredients and simple cooking techniques.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) steak (sirloin, ribeye, or filet), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
- ¾ cup (75 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Submerge rotini and cook until achieving perfect al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Steak Searing: Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high, adding butter. Introduce seasoned steak cubes, creating a golden-brown crust by searing and rotating for 3-4 minutes. Ensure even cooking and desired doneness.
- Sauce Creation: Reduce skillet heat and infuse with minced garlic. Pour heavy cream, allowing gentle simmer while whisking in parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until sauce reaches a smooth, creamy consistency that clings delicately to ingredients.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine seared steak bites and cooked rotini within the velvety parmesan sauce. Gently toss to ensure complete sauce coverage, blending flavors and textures harmoniously. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Finishing Touch: Transfer to serving dish while piping hot. Garnish generously with additional parmesan cheese and a vibrant sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil, enhancing both visual presentation and flavor complexity.
Notes
Optimize Meat Texture: Pat steak dry before cubing to ensure perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
Prevent Sauce Separation: Add parmesan cheese gradually and stir consistently to maintain smooth, creamy sauce without clumping or breaking.
Control Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes quantity based on personal heat tolerance, starting with a small pinch for subtle warmth.
Enhance Gluten-Free Option: Replace rotini with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 668
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 675 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 136 mg