Description

Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Chipotle White Cheddar Shells is a bold, comforting dinner recipe that combines tender seared steak with creamy chipotle cheddar pasta. Perfect for weeknights or special meals, this dish blends smoky spice, cheesy richness, and juicy beef. It’s a must-try steak pasta combo that delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home.

Ingredients

1 pound sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into cubes

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

8 ounces pasta shells

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped

1 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

Chopped parsley or chives, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Pat steak pieces dry and season with salt and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a hot cast iron skillet. Add steak cubes in a single layer.

3. Sear steak for 2–3 minutes per side until browned.

4. Add garlic and butter. Toss to coat. Remove steak from pan and set aside.

5. Boil pasta shells in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Drain.

6. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped chipotle peppers.

7. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer.

8. Gradually whisk in shredded white cheddar until melted and smooth.

9. Add cooked pasta shells and stir to coat evenly.

10. Thin the sauce with pasta water if needed. Let simmer to thicken.

11. Plate the cheesy shells and top with garlic butter steak bites.

12. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and serve hot.

Notes

Use a cast iron skillet for the best sear on steak bites.

Always reserve pasta water—it helps adjust sauce thickness without losing flavor.

For extra smokiness, add 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder to the sauce base.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 680
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 610mg
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 42g
Cholesterol: 140mg

Keywords: garlic butter steak, chipotle pasta, white cheddar shells