Description
This Cajun Garlic Butter Linguine with Tender Beef Strips Rigatoni is bold, creamy, and packed with flavor. Seared tender beef meets a rich Cajun-spiced garlic butter cream sauce tossed with ridged rigatoni that grabs onto every drop. It’s a hearty, comforting pasta dish perfect for any night you want something indulgent and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
1 pound beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into bite-sized strips
12 ounces rigatoni pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, drain the rest, and set pasta aside.
2. Season beef strips with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Cajun seasoning.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add remaining Cajun seasoning and pour in heavy cream. Stir and simmer for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese, then toss in the cooked rigatoni. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
7. Return beef to skillet and toss with pasta, or serve beef on top. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for better melting and flavor in the sauce.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing beef to avoid steaming.
If using a spicier Cajun blend, reduce to 1 tablespoon and adjust to taste after combining with cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: cajun garlic butter pasta, creamy rigatoni, beef pasta, weeknight dinner