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A close-up shot of creamy Cajun steak rigatoni, showing the texture of the rich sauce clinging to the pasta and a juicy slice of steak.

Cajun Steak Pasta: A Creamy, Spicy Weeknight Delight

This Cajun Steak Pasta recipe features tender, juicy sirloin steak and a spicy, luscious cream sauce tossed with rigatoni. It's a restaurant-quality meal that's incredibly easy to make for a perfect weeknight dinner in about 40 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 850

Ingredients
  

For the Steak and Pasta
  • 1 lb sirloin steak about 1-inch thick, brought to room temperature
  • 12 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Creamy Cajun Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning divided, use your favorite brand or a homemade blend
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 red bell pepper finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or beef broth
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Large Pot For cooking pasta
  • 1 Cutting Board

Instructions
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the steak dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove from skillet and let it rest on a cutting board.
  3. Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer and reduce by half. Stir in the remaining 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning. Reduce heat to low, then slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
  5. Turn off the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Slice the rested steak against the grain. Add the drained pasta and sliced steak to the skillet, tossing to combine everything. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to thin the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

Steak Doneness: Use a meat thermometer for perfect results! 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium.
Resting is Key: Do not skip resting the steak! It ensures the juices stay inside the meat, making it tender.
Cheese Matters: For the smoothest sauce, use a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself.
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