Description
The ultimate comfort food for bold flavor lovers. Featuring juicy, butter-basted NY strip steak served over rigatoni in a silky, spicy cream sauce. This indulgent meal combines smoky Cajun spices and savory aromatics for a restaurant-quality experience at home.
Ingredients
The Steak
- 2 NY strip steaks
- 2 tbsp butter, 1/2 tbsp avocado oil
- Aromatics: Thyme/rosemary, 3 crushed garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper
The Pasta & Sauce
- 12 oz rigatoni
- 1.5 cups heavy cream, 1 cup Parmesan, 3 tbsp butter
- Veggie Base: Onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste
- Spices: Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne, red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup starchy pasta water
Instructions
Sear: Pat steaks dry; season with salt and pepper. Sear in avocado oil for 3–4 mins per side until a crust forms.
Baste: Lower heat; add butter, herbs, and garlic. Spoon foaming butter over steaks for 2 mins. Rest 10 mins before dicing.
Sauté: Sauté onions and peppers in the same skillet. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste.
Sauce: Add spices and heavy cream. Simmer gently, then stir in Parmesan and reserved pasta water until silky.
Combine: Toss rigatoni into the sauce and top with the rested steak.
Notes
The ‘Fond’ Factor: Those browned bits in the skillet are flavor gold; don’t wash the pan before making the sauce!
Resting is Mandatory: 10 minutes allows juices to redistribute, keeping the meat succulent and the sauce clean.
Starch Power: Pasta water is the bridge that emulsifies the fat and liquid, ensuring the sauce clings to the rigatoni.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing & Pan Sauce
- Cuisine: Cajun-Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 840
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 920
- Fat: 58
- Saturated Fat: 32
- Unsaturated Fat: 26
- Trans Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 44
- Cholesterol: 195
Keywords: cajun steak rigatoni, spicy steak pasta, ny strip pasta recipe, creamy cajun sauce, butter basted steak, restaurant style pasta at home, spicy italian dinner