Cajun Steak Bites and Cheesy Garlic Shells Skillet Recipe
This Cajun Steak Bites and Cheesy Garlic Shells Skillet combines tender, juicy steak seasoned with bold Cajun spices with creamy, cheesy garlic pasta shells. Cooked together in a cast iron skillet, this hearty and flavorful one-pan meal is perfect for a satisfying dinner that brings a little spice and indulgence to your table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Steak Bites
- 1 ½ lbs sirloin steak or ribeye, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Cheesy Garlic Shells
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells until al dente, then reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta and setting it aside.
- Prepare steak: Pat the steak cubes dry with paper towels. Toss them well with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to coat evenly.
- Sear steak bites: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Sear the steak bites in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned. In the final minute, add butter and minced garlic, tossing to coat the steak evenly. Remove the steak bites from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic for sauce: Reduce the heat to medium in the same skillet. Add butter and minced garlic, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Prepare cheese sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Allow the cream to simmer gently.
- Add cheeses and seasoning: Stir in shredded cheddar, Parmesan cheese, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes rich and creamy.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Combine the cooked pasta shells with the cheese sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Finish and serve: Top the cheesy garlic shells with the seared Cajun steak bites. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately for a warm, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use ribeye or sirloin beef steaks for tender and juicy bites.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- Reserve some pasta water to control the thickness of the cheese sauce for a perfect creamy texture.
- Use a cast iron skillet for best searing results and even heat distribution.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the pasta shells with gluten-free pasta.
Keywords: Cajun steak bites, cheesy garlic pasta, skillet dinner, one-pan meal, comfort food, creamy pasta, spicy steak
