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This indulgent pasta dish combines pan-seared Cajun-seasoned steak with a garlic butter base and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. It’s quick enough for weeknights and fancy enough for guests.
⏱️ Prep & Cook Time
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20–25 minutes
- Total time: ~40 minutes
🍽️ Equipment Needed
- Large pot (for pasta)
- Cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan
- Tongs
- Saucepan or deep skillet (for cream sauce)
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Steak:
- 1 lb (450 g) sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into strips or cubes
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340 g) linguine, cooked al dente
- 1 tbsp butter (for tossing cooked pasta)
For the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning (optional, for heat)
- 1/4 tsp paprika (optional, for color)
- 1/4 cup pasta water (to thin sauce, if needed)
🧂 Ingredient Notes
- Cajun seasoning can be homemade or store-bought. Adjust for heat preference.
- Substitute chicken or shrimp if preferred.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Always grate cheese fresh for best melt and texture.
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Cook Linguine
- Boil linguine in salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain and toss with 1 tbsp butter. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Steak
- Pat steak dry. Season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a hot skillet. Sear steak strips 2–3 minutes per side or until browned.
- Add butter and garlic; spoon the garlic butter over steak for 1 minute.
- Remove steak from heat and set aside, loosely covered.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce
- In the same pan (or clean one), melt butter over medium heat.
- Sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream, stir well, and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan, Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
4. Combine & Serve
- Toss cooked linguine in the cream sauce.
- Top with seared steak and spoon over garlic butter from the pan.
- Garnish with parsley, extra Parmesan, and red pepper flakes (optional).
🧮 Nutrition (per serving – approx.)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~700–850 kcal |
| Protein | ~35–40 g |
| Carbs | ~45–50 g |
| Fat | ~40–50 g |
💡 Tips & Variations
- Add veggies: Toss in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted bell peppers.
- Make it spicy: Add extra Cajun seasoning or hot sauce to the sauce.
- Use penne or fettuccine if you don’t have linguine.
- No cream? Use a mix of whole milk + cream cheese for a quick swap.
