One-Pot Creamy Garlic Butter Steak & Pasta
Meta Description: This One-Pot Creamy Garlic Butter Steak & Pasta combines tender steak bites, creamy garlic butter sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta for an easy, rich, and comforting one-pot dinner.
This One-Pot Creamy Garlic Butter Steak & Pasta is the ultimate comfort food for steak and pasta lovers. Tender, juicy steak bites are seared until beautifully browned, then combined with pasta cooked directly in a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce.
The result is a deliciously indulgent meal with tender steak, silky sauce, plenty of garlic, and Parmesan cheese in every bite. Best of all, everything comes together in one pot, making cleanup quick and easy.
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 1 pound sirloin steak or ribeye
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella, optional
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
1. Prepare the Steak
Pat the steak dry with paper towels.
Cut it into bite-sized pieces and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Let the seasoned steak sit for about 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Sear the Steak
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the olive oil.
Once hot, add the steak pieces in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
Sear for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, until browned on the outside.
Transfer the steak to a plate and set aside.
The steak doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage because it will briefly return to the sauce later.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Base
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the butter to the same pot.
Once melted, add the minced garlic.
Cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Add the Pasta and Broth
Pour the beef broth into the pot and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to release all the flavorful browned bits.
Add the pasta, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes if using.
Stir well.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
5. Cook the Pasta
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover partially with a lid.
Cook for approximately 10–12 minutes, stirring every few minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Cook until the pasta is almost al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed.
6. Make It Creamy
Pour in the heavy cream and stir.
Continue cooking for approximately 2–3 minutes over low heat.
Add the Parmesan cheese gradually, stirring until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
If using mozzarella, add it now and stir until smooth and creamy.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of beef broth or milk.
7. Add the Steak
Return the seared steak and any accumulated juices to the pot.
Gently stir everything together.
Cook for another 1–2 minutes, just until the steak is heated through and the pasta is perfectly tender.
Don’t overcook the steak at this stage.
8. Garnish and Serve
Remove the pot from the heat.
Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
Let the pasta rest for 2–3 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly.
Serve hot.
Tips for the Best Steak & Pasta
Choose a tender steak: Sirloin, ribeye, strip steak, or tenderloin work particularly well.
Sear in batches: Overcrowding causes the steak to steam instead of developing a flavorful crust.
Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts much more smoothly into the sauce.
Don’t overcook the pasta: Check it several minutes before the package’s recommended cooking time.
Keep the heat low after adding cream: Gentle heat helps prevent the sauce from becoming grainy or separating.
Rest before serving: The sauce thickens naturally as it cools slightly.
Easy Variations
Add Mushrooms
Sauté 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms after cooking the steak, then continue with the recipe.
Add Spinach
Stir in 2–3 cups of fresh spinach during the final few minutes of cooking.
Make It Spicy
Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Add Broccoli
Stir in small broccoli florets during the last 5 minutes of pasta cooking.
Extra Cheesy
Add mozzarella, provolone, or a little cream cheese for an even richer sauce.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
When reheating, add a splash of milk, cream, or beef broth and warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. This helps restore the creamy consistency.
This One-Pot Creamy Garlic Butter Steak & Pasta is rich, cheesy, garlicky, and incredibly satisfying. With juicy seared steak, tender pasta, and a silky Parmesan cream sauce, it’s an easy restaurant-style dinner you can make in one pot at home.