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Cajun Steak Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan

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Cajun Steak Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan is a creamy, decadent pasta dish that combines Cajun-seasoned steak with a rich, cheesy sauce. The rigatoni is coated in a velvety sauce made of mozzarella, Parmesan, and cream cheese for a hearty and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salt, to taste

0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1.5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

680 g sirloin or ribeye steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces

For the Cheesy Parmesan Rigatoni:

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salt, to taste

0.5 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

110 g shredded mozzarella cheese

100 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese

115 g cream cheese, softened

120 ml whole milk

360 ml heavy cream

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

340 g rigatoni pasta

Instructions

  1. Season the steak by tossing the steak tips with freshly ground black pepper, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
  2. In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned steak tips and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream, whole milk, and Cajun seasoning, and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly.
  4. Reduce heat to low and add the cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Cook the rigatoni pasta in a pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  6. Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the creamy sauce. Add the cooked steak tips and stir gently to combine.
  7. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use reduced-fat cream cheese.

Feel free to add more cheese to make it even cheesier or adjust the heat level by adding extra Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes.

Use chicken instead of steak for a poultry-based variation.

If you prefer different pasta, penne or fusilli would work well as alternatives to rigatoni.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://familydinnercooking.com/cajun-steak-cheesy-rigatoni-parmesan/