Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Parmesan Shells

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Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Parmesan Shells – The Ultimate Comfort Duo

Looking for a dinner that feels luxurious yet cozy, indulgent yet simple? Meet the Ultimate Comfort Duo: tender garlic butter steak bites paired with creamy parmesan pasta shells. It’s a fork-in-the-air kind of meal, the kind that makes you pause mid-bite and smile.

Juicy seared beef in a glossy garlic herb butter sauce sits right on top of perfectly coated, velvety parmesan shells. The flavors balance beautifully — rich, savory, buttery steak against the cheesy, silky pasta. And the best part? You can make this restaurant-worthy dinner at home in just 30 minutes. Perfect for date nights, impressing guests, or those “I deserve something fancy” evenings.

Why You’ll Love This Comfort Duo

• ✅ Ready in 30 minutes — faster than takeout
• ✅ Restaurant-quality flavor — rich, buttery, cheesy, and deeply satisfying
• ✅ Crowd-pleaser — steak lovers and pasta fans will be hooked
• ✅ Minimal cleanup — one pan for steak, one pot for pasta
• ✅ Customizable — swap proteins, pasta shapes, or add veggies for variety

Ingredients

For the Garlic Butter Steak Bites:

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary or thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, adds umami)
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For the Creamy Parmesan Shells:

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta shells (medium or large)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: ½ cup peas, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes

Equipment

• Large skillet (cast iron works best for steak)
• Large pot for pasta
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Sharp knife & cutting board
• Strainer/colander
• Tongs

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook pasta shells until al dente according to package directions.
• Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.

2. Make the Parmesan Sauce

• In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds (don’t let it burn).
• Pour in heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer.
• Stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy.
• Toss pasta in sauce, adding reserved water as needed for silkiness.
• Stir in parsley and any optional add-ins. Keep warm.

3. Sear the Steak Bites

• Pat beef dry, season generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in skillet over high heat.
• Add steak in a single layer; sear 2–3 minutes per side for medium-rare.
• Remove steak and reduce heat to medium.
• Add butter, garlic, herbs, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir into glossy sauce.
• Return steak bites, toss to coat.

4. Serve

• Spoon creamy pasta shells onto plates.
• Top with garlic butter steak bites.
• Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.

Pro Tips for the Best Steak & Pasta

• Dry the beef well before searing — moisture prevents browning.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan — work in batches for a good crust.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan — it melts smoother than bagged cheese.
• Reserve pasta water — it’s liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency.
• Let steak rest 5 minutes — keeps it juicy and tender.

Easy Variations & Substitutions

• Mushroom upgrade: Sauté mushrooms with the steak.
• Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
• Wine sauce: Deglaze the steak pan with ¼ cup red wine.
• Protein swap: Use chicken bites or shrimp instead of steak.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta shells.

Serving, Pairing & Storage

• Serve: Fresh from the skillet with a crisp green salad and garlic bread.
• Pair: A glass of red wine, sparkling water with lemon, or iced tea.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth. Avoid microwaving steak (it dries out).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What cut of beef works best?
A: Sirloin, tenderloin, or ribeye — all sear quickly and stay tender.

Q: Can I use frozen steak?
A: Not recommended — thaw fully first to avoid steaming instead of searing.

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Best served fresh, but you can prep ingredients in advance for quicker cooking.

Q: Can I reheat leftovers?
A: Yes — reheat in a skillet with cream or broth to refresh the sauce.

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Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Parmesan Shells

Juicy steak bites seared in garlic butter paired with creamy parmesan pasta shells — a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Steak Bites

• 1.5 lbs beef sirloin or tenderloin cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary or thyme
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce optional
• Salt & pepper
• Fresh parsley garnish

For the Parmesan Shells

• 12 oz pasta shells
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup Parmesan grated
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp parsley

Optional: peas, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes

Equipment

• Skillet
• - Pot
• Strainer
• Tongs
• spatula

Method

 

1. Cook pasta shells in salted water. Drain, reserve ½ cup water.
2. In same pot, melt butter. Sauté garlic 30 sec. Stir in cream.
3. Add Parmesan, stir smooth. Toss pasta, add water as needed. Keep warm.
4. Pat beef dry, season. Heat skillet with oil. Sear 2–3 min per side.
5. Remove beef. Add butter, garlic, herbs, Worcestershire. Stir sauce. Return beef and toss.
6. Serve pasta topped with steak bites. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan.

Notes

Dry beef well for best sear.

Use fresh Parmesan for creamy sauce.

Store leftovers up to 3 days; reheat gently with cream.