If you’re searching for a weeknight dinner that walks the line between pure comfort food and a punchy, crave-worthy steakhouse treat, Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni should move straight to the top of your list. This dish brings together the deep, savory magic of seared steak tips with al dente rigatoni drenched in a velvety, cheesy garlic butter sauce. It’s a main course loaded with texture and flavor, yet the ingredients are everyday staples, making it both impressive and approachable for any home cook.

Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple, honest ingredients are the backbone of Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni. Each one plays a vital part—whether it’s boosting richness, adding a little zip, or contributing irresistible color to your finished plate.

Sirloin steak tips: Tender and juicy, these cook quickly and soak up the buttery, garlicky sauce like a dream.
Olive oil: The foundation for a good sear, olive oil also adds a whisper of richness and fruitiness.
Unsalted butter: This creates that signature garlic butter flavor and helps build a smooth, pillowy sauce.
Fresh garlic: Five cloves might sound bold, but once sautéed, garlic mellows and perfumes both the steak and the pasta.
Worcestershire sauce: Just a dash infuses a deep, umami backbone into every bite.
Salt: Essential for drawing out juices in the steak and seasoning everything perfectly.
Black pepper: Adds gentle heat and rounds out the flavors of the sauce and steak.
Smoked paprika: A pinch gives the steak a subtle warmth and a flush of color.
Rigatoni pasta: Its tube shape holds onto all that luscious, cheesy sauce—you’ll never chase a bland noodle again.
Shredded mozzarella: Melts beautifully into the sauce, creating those signature gooey, pull-apart strands.
Grated Parmesan: Adds sharpness and complexity, balancing the creaminess with a salty, nutty kick.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce extra silky and indulgent without overwhelming the dish.
Whole milk: Lightens the sauce just enough and helps bring all the dairy ingredients together.
Chopped parsley: Optional but highly recommended for a fresh, herby finish and a pop of color.

How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni

Step 1: Cook the Rigatoni

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions, aiming for just al dente. This allows the pasta to soak up the creamy sauce later without turning mushy. Drain well and set aside, reserving a splash of pasta water if you want to adjust the sauce’s texture later.

Step 2: Season the Steak Tips

While your pasta’s bubbling away, pat your steak tips dry for the crispiest sear. Toss them in salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. This simple seasoning blend sets up bold flavor right from the start, especially once the meat hits the skillet.

Step 3: Sear the Steak Tips

Drizzle olive oil into a large skillet and heat it over medium-high. Sear the steak tips in batches—don’t crowd the pan! Cook each piece for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deeply browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Set aside on a plate so they rest and stay juicy.

Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

With the skillet still hot (and all those delicious browned bits in the pan), reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once it melts, stir in the minced garlic, letting it sizzle for about a minute—your kitchen will smell incredible. Add the Worcestershire sauce, heavy cream, and whole milk. Simmer gently to bring the sauce together before proceeding.

Step 5: Stir in the Cheese

Sprinkle in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses, stirring constantly. Watch as the sauce transforms, turning silky, glossy, and infused with cheesy goodness. Keep stirring until both cheeses are fully melted and the sauce coats the back of your spoon.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Steak

Add the cooked rigatoni right into the skillet and toss to coat in the cheese sauce. Slide the seared steak tips (and any juices) back in, turning gently until everything is well combined and the steak is just warmed through. Give the pan a taste for seasoning, then finish it all off with a shower of chopped parsley before serving.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni

Garnishes

For that restaurant-style finish, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top to add color and a splash of freshness. An extra pinch of Parmesan cheese is always welcome, and a crack of black pepper helps make all those bold flavors pop.

Side Dishes

This dish is already satisfyingly rich, so consider a simple side: think garlicky sautéed greens like spinach, a zippy mixed salad, or simply roasted broccoli. Light vegetables offer a refreshing contrast to the creamy, hearty pasta and steak tips.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni family-style in a big, shallow bowl for everyone to share, or plate it in individual pasta bowls with steak tips artfully arranged on top. A drizzle of extra garlic butter just before serving can elevate it even further.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta and steak tips continue to marinate in that luscious cheesy sauce, making the flavors even more pronounced after a night’s rest.

Freezing

While pasta dishes with cream-based sauces are best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni in a pinch. Portion it into airtight, freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.

Reheating

For best results, reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to life. Stir gently until warmed through. You can also microwave single portions, but cover and use low power to avoid drying out the steak.

FAQs

What other cuts of beef can I use for steak tips?

If sirloin isn’t available, ribeye or strip steak work well and yield melt-in-your-mouth steak tips. Just aim for tender cuts—the key is a quick, hard sear to lock in juices.

Can I make this dish ahead for a dinner party?

Absolutely! You can cook each component ahead, then assemble and reheat gently right before serving. Just be sure to undercook the pasta slightly so it holds up after reheating in the sauce.

Is there a way to make Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni lighter?

For a lighter version, swap the heavy cream for half-and-half and use part-skim mozzarella. You’ll lose a touch of richness, but the flavors will still be tremendously satisfying.

Can I add vegetables to the pasta?

Definitely! Sautéed mushrooms, peas, or baby spinach stir in beautifully right before serving, turning this into a one-pan meal with even more depth and color.

Is this kid-friendly?

Kids generally love the creamy, cheesy pasta and tender steak tips. If someone is sensitive to garlic, reduce the amount to taste, but even picky eaters usually gobble this up.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to shake up your dinner routine with a dish that’s hearty, inviting, and guaranteed to make everyone do a happy dance, Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni has you covered. This is one recipe you’ll keep coming back to—week after week—whenever you need a meal that feels like a true treat. Don’t just take my word for it: gather your ingredients and dive in!

Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 5 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the rich and savory flavors of Garlic Butter Steak Tips served with a creamy, cheesy Rigatoni pasta. This dish is a perfect blend of tender steak, garlicky butter sauce, and gooey cheese, making it a satisfying and comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Steak Tips:

1 ½ pounds sirloin steak tips (cut into 1-inch pieces)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Rigatoni:

12 ounces rigatoni pasta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup whole milk
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Rigatoni: Boil salted water and cook rigatoni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sear the Steak Tips: Season steak tips and sear in olive oil until browned. Set aside.
Make the Cheesy Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, sauté garlic, add Worcestershire sauce, cream, and milk. Stir in cheeses until smooth.
Combine and Serve: Toss rigatoni in sauce, add steak tips, and warm through. Garnish with parsley.