Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream
Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream is a quick, indulgent dinner that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy steak bites every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Juicy Grilled Chicken Mashed Potato Bowls Recipe Easy Homemade Dinner and Mouthwatering Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes.
Why This Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy steak bites with a golden crust
- Creamy Parmesan sauce that's rich and indulgent
- Quick and easy, ready in 20 minutes
- Better than takeout, perfect for busy weeknights
What You'll Need for Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Steak (flank or sirloin)
- Pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- Garlic
- Butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Heavy cream
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Parsley (for garnish)
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Steak: Flank or sirloin steak works best for crispy steak bites.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Pasta strainer — Easy draining and prevents overcooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream
- Prepare steak: Freeze steak for 15 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
- Cook steak: Season steak with salt and pepper. Cook in hot cast iron skillet with butter until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add heavy cream and Parmesan, stir until creamy. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Combine and serve: Toss steak bites and cooked pasta in the garlic butter sauce. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcrowding the skillet when cooking steak bites. Cook in batches if needed to maintain high heat and achieve a crispy crust.
- Pro tip: Freezing the steak briefly before slicing helps achieve thin, even slices that cook quickly and evenly.
- Pro tip: Reserve pasta water to adjust the consistency of your sauce. It adds starch that helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce or sprinkle on top of individual servings.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and 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 steak bites and cook pasta ahead of time. Combine with sauce just before serving.
Freezing Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream
Freeze cooked steak bites and uncooked pasta separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and combine with sauce when ready to serve.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pan meal, cook pasta directly in the skillet after removing steak bites. Drain excess water and proceed with the recipe.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter, tangier sauce.
- Make-ahead: Prepare steak bites and cook pasta ahead of time. Combine with sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with reserved pasta water or a little bit of milk. If it's too thin, let it simmer and reduce until it reaches your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality steak knives — Cleanly slice through steak with ease, ensuring perfectly even steak bites. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Steak (flank or sirloin)
- Pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- Garlic
- Butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Heavy cream
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Parsley (for garnish)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare steak: Freeze steak for 15 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
- Cook steak: Season steak with salt and pepper. Cook in hot cast iron skillet with butter until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add heavy cream and Parmesan, stir until creamy. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Combine and serve: Toss steak bites and cooked pasta in the garlic butter sauce. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pan meal, cook pasta directly in the skillet after removing steak bites. Drain excess water and proceed with the recipe.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter, tangier sauce.
- Make-ahead: Prepare steak bites and cook pasta ahead of time. Combine with sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with reserved pasta water or a little bit of milk. If it's too thin, let it simmer and reduce until it reaches your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked steak bites and uncooked pasta separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and combine with sauce when ready to serve.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare steak bites and cook pasta ahead of time. Combine with sauce just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 160mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and Parmesan Cream FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the steak bites and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine with the sauce just before serving to prevent the pasta from becoming soggy.
Steak bites can become tough if they're overcooked or not sliced thin enough. Make sure to slice the steak against the grain and cook the bites quickly in a hot skillet.
Yes, cook steak bites in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes or until crispy. Finish the recipe as directed.
You can substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt, sour cream, or milk. The sauce will have a slightly different texture and flavor, but it will still be delicious.
Make sure your skillet is hot and well-oiled before adding the steak bites. Avoid moving them around too much in the skillet to allow for a crispy crust to form.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Pasta and 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!
