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A serving of Cajun steak tips with cheesy rigatoni pasta on a plate.

Spicy Cajun Steak Tips with Three-Cheese Rigatoni

This recipe features succulent Cajun-spiced sirloin steak tips served atop a creamy, rich three-cheese rigatoni, offering a delightful blend of spicy and savory flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 850 kcal

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • large skillet or cast-iron pan
  • large pot
  • whisk

Ingredients
  

Steak Tips

  • 1.5 lbs sirloin or strip steak cut into 1-inch tips
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning adjust to your spice preference
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Three-Cheese Rigatoni

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk whole milk for richer sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 0.5 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • Fresh parsley, chopped optional
  • Sliced green onions optional

Instructions
 

Prepare steak

  • Toss the steak tips with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

Cook steak

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak tips in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside to rest.

Cook rigatoni

  • Bring salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente, then drain.

Make cheese sauce

  • Melt butter in the same skillet, add minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Create roux

  • Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a light roux.

Build sauce

  • Slowly whisk in milk and chicken broth, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and smooths, about 5-7 minutes.

Add cheese

  • Reduce heat to low, stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

Combine and serve

  • Add drained rigatoni to the cheese sauce and toss to coat evenly. Serve with steak tips and garnish with parsley or green onions and extra Parmesan.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Cajun seasoning. If you prefer a richer sauce, use heavy cream instead of milk. Be sure not to overcook the steak tips to keep them tender and juicy.