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A flavorful and creamy pasta dish featuring tender sirloin steak strips seasoned with Cajun spices, tossed in a rich, cheesy sauce with penne pasta. A quick and easy meal ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights or feeding family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.25 lb sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized strips
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (plus additional 1 tsp for sauce)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt (plus additional to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter (for searing steak)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter (for sauce roux)
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut the sirloin steak into bite-sized strips.
  2. Soften the cream cheese to room temperature.
  3. Mince the garlic cloves.
  4. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil; cook the penne until al dente, drain well, and set aside.
  5. Toss the steak strips with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  6. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tbsp butter, and sear the steak strips in a single layer 2–3 minutes per side until browned but still juicy.
  7. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant, then remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
  8. Melt 2 tbsp butter in the same skillet, whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
  9. Slowly pour in 2 cups heavy cream and 1 cup whole milk while whisking constantly; simmer until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  10. Stir in 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella, 1 cup grated Parmesan, and the softened 4 oz cream cheese; continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and thick.
  11. Season the sauce with 1 tsp garlic powder, 0.5 tsp onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.
  12. Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
  13. Return the seared Cajun steak strips to the skillet and gently mix them into the pasta.

Notes

For garnish, chopped parsley or chives add freshness and color., Serve alongside garlic bread, baguette slices, or a fresh salad such as Caesar or mixed greens., To increase spiciness, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to taste., Steak can be substituted with chicken, shrimp, smoked sausage, pork tenderloin, or tofu/tempeh for a vegetarian option., Use different pasta shapes or gluten-free pasta according to preference., For dairy-free versions, substitute heavy cream and cheese with plant-based milks and vegan cheese alternatives., Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months., Reheat gently in the oven, microwave, or stovetop, adding a splash of milk if sauce thickens too much.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mamapantry.com/creamy-cajun-steak-penne-pasta/