If you’re dreaming of a cozy, restaurant-worthy meal at home, Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try checks every single box. It’s hearty, saucy, and full of bold flavors, bringing together juicy, seared steak tips with a velvety, rich cheese sauce clinging to perfectly cooked rigatoni. This is that showstopper comfort dish that you’ll want to revisit, whether you’re looking to spoil family or simply treat yourself to something truly special. Get ready to fall in love with your new weeknight obsession.

Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for a lineup of simple, supermarket staples that blend into something magical. Every ingredient has an essential role, infusing depth, aroma, creaminess, or just the right bite. Gather these items for Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try, and you’re halfway to dinnertime bliss!
- Sirloin steak tips: Tender, flavorful cuts that stay juicy and pack a satisfying meaty punch.
- Olive oil: Helps achieve a beautiful sear on the steak and adds a fruity, peppery note.
- Unsalted butter: The secret to golden, meltingly rich steak tips and a smooth cheese sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic infuses every bite with irresistible fragrance.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for unlocking the steak’s natural flavors.
- Rigatoni pasta: Perfectly sturdy tubes for holding luscious cheesy sauce.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens your cheese sauce for maximum creaminess.
- Whole milk: Builds a luscious, full-bodied sauce base.
- Heavy cream: Adds extra silkiness and decadence to the cheese sauce.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp, melty, and just what you want for ooey-gooey satisfaction.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: For nutty, salty depth that rounds out the sauce.
- Paprika: Lends its subtle smokiness and gorgeous color.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped and bright, it makes the perfect finishing touch.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try
Step 1: Cook the Rigatoni
Start by bringing a generously salted pot of water to a boil. Add your rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package directions until just al dente. This way, the pasta holds its structure and catches every bit of creamy cheese sauce later. Drain well, set aside, and drizzle with a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking, if you like.
Step 2: Sear the Steak Tips
While the pasta cooks, season your sirloin steak tips with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering, then add the steak tips in an even layer. Sear them in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, letting them get deeply browned on the outside while staying juicy within. Remove the steak from the skillet and keep warm—don’t forget to save all those crusty browned bits stuck to the pan!
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
Lower the heat to medium, add half of your butter (that’s 2 tablespoons) to the same skillet, and let it melt. Toss in that mountain of minced garlic, stirring for about 30 seconds until it smells wildly fragrant. Return the seared steak tips to the skillet, tossing to coat every piece in garlic butter. Keep them warm as you prep the sauce.
Step 4: Prepare the Cheesy Sauce
In a separate saucepan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk it into a bubbly roux, letting it cook for a minute to knock out any raw flour flavor. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, allowing the sauce to thicken just slightly. Now, lower the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, and paprika; keep stirring until it’s completely smooth, creamy, and basically begging to coat some pasta.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce
Pour your cooked rigatoni straight into the warm cheese sauce, gently folding until every tube is swimming in luscious goodness. You want that sauce-to-pasta ratio just right—abundant, but not soupy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
Spoon big portions of cheesy rigatoni onto plates or a serving platter. Top generously with those glistening garlic butter steak tips, making sure to include the rich pan drippings. Shower everything with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot. There’s no wrong way to dive in!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try

Garnishes
Finish your Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try with a flourish of fresh chopped parsley right before serving. For even more color and dimension, a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a few turns of black pepper make every plate feel special—don’t be shy about making it look as good as it tastes!
Side Dishes
This rich pasta and steak combo craves something fresh on the side. Pair it with a bright green salad tossed in lemony vinaigrette, or some simply roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli. Warm, crusty bread also gets every last bit of sauce from your plate—totally worth it.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to really wow your guests, serve the cheesy rigatoni in individual bowls, nestling the steak tips on top for a bistro-style presentation. You can also layer everything in a large serving dish for family-style feasting—it’s visually stunning. For a twist, top each serving with a drizzle of infused olive oil or a sprinkle of crispy fried shallots for added crunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure the pasta and steak are cooled before storing, and layer a little extra sauce over the top to keep things moist.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze the cheesy rigatoni (without the steak tips) for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. The steak, however, is best enjoyed fresh, as reheating can make it a bit less tender. For optimum results, freeze pasta and sauce separately from any steak components.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the steak tips and rigatoni separately on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce’s silkiness. In a hurry? The microwave works too—just cover the dish and use short intervals, stirring between rounds until everything is hot and creamy again.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely! While sirloin steak tips offer the best balance of tenderness and flavor, you can substitute with ribeye, strip steak, or even filet mignon if you’re feeling fancy. Just remember to cut the pieces into bite-sized chunks for even cooking.
What other cheeses work well in the sauce?
You can experiment with a blend of cheeses such as mozzarella for meltiness, Gruyère for depth, or even fontina for buttery richness. Feel free to tweak the cheese mix according to your taste and what you have on hand.
How can I make the dish a bit lighter?
If you’re looking to lighten up Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try, use half-and-half instead of cream, and choose reduced-fat cheeses. You can also cut back on the butter slightly without losing all that flavor.
Can I make the recipe ahead of time for a crowd?
Definitely! You can prep the pasta and creamy cheese sauce ahead, then quickly sear the steak tips right before serving. Assemble just before your meal so everything stays fresh and satisfying, especially if entertaining guests.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
As written, this recipe contains both all-purpose flour and regular pasta. For a gluten-free version, simply use gluten-free rigatoni and swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The results will be every bit as delicious!
Final Thoughts
If you love bold flavors and comforting meals, Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try is your dream dinner come true. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a dish that’s as impressive as it is achievable, and get ready for rave reviews around the table—trust me, this is one ultimate recipe you’ll crave again and again!
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Garlic Butter Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You Must Try Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the savory goodness of Garlic Butter Steak Tips served with creamy Cheesy Rigatoni. This ultimate comfort food dish is a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more. A must-try recipe for any steak and pasta lover!
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Steak Tips:
- 1 1/2 lbs sirloin steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Cheesy Rigatoni:
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni: Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sear the Steak Tips: Season and sear steak tips in a skillet until cooked to preference. Set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: Sauté garlic in butter, then toss in the steak tips.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Create a roux with butter and flour, then add milk and cream. Stir in cheeses and paprika until creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss cooked rigatoni in the cheese sauce until well-coated.
- Serve: Plate the cheesy rigatoni and top with garlic butter steak tips. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate steak tips in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary for 30 minutes before cooking.
- You can swap cheddar for a blend of mozzarella and Gruyère for a richer cheese flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop sauté, boiling
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg