Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shells Pasta

Here’s a full recipe for Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Shells Pasta—rich, indulgent, and surprisingly quick to make!

---

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the steak bites

• 1 lb (450 g) steak (sirloin, ribeye, or your choice), cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2–3 tbsp butter
• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika or chili flakes (optional)
• 1–2 tsp olive oil

For the creamy shells pasta

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta shells
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1–2 tbsp butter
• 1–2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional garnish)

---

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

1. Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente.
2. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water.

---

2. Cook the steak bites

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season steak cubes with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Sear steak bites 2–3 minutes per side until browned but still juicy.
4. Remove steak from the pan and set aside.

---

3. Make garlic butter sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
3. Return steak bites to the pan and toss to coat in the garlic butter.
4. Keep warm while you make the pasta sauce.

---

4. Make creamy pasta

1. In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
2. Pour in heavy cream and simmer 2–3 minutes.
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth.
4. Add cooked pasta, tossing to coat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

---

5. Combine and serve

• Plate the creamy pasta and top with garlic butter steak bites.
• Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.
• Optional: drizzle extra garlic butter from the skillet on top for extra flavor.

---

Tips

• Use high-heat oil for steak searing to get a good crust.
• Don’t overcook the steak—medium-rare to medium works best.
• For extra richness, add a splash of white wine or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pasta sauce.
• Leftover garlic butter can be used to sauté vegetables for a side dish.

---

If you want, I can also give a one-skillet version where the pasta and steak cook together for even faster cleanup.

Do you want me to do that?