Description
Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of Creamy Cajun Steak Penne Pasta, a delightful dish that seamlessly blends bold Cajun flavors with tender steak and a luxurious cheese sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe is quick to prepare, taking only 30 minutes from start to finish. The spicy Cajun seasoning elevates the creamy pasta, making it a crowd-pleaser for both adults and kids. Plus, with minimal cleanup required thanks to its one-skillet preparation, you can enjoy more time at the table and less time in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 lb sirloin steak, sliced into bite-size strips
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 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 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in salted water until tender; drain and set aside.
- Toss the steak strips with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter, and sear the steak for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt more butter for the sauce, whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly add heavy cream and milk while whisking until smooth; let simmer until slightly thickened.
- Stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, and cream cheese until the sauce becomes thick and ultra-creamy.
- Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet with sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Top with Cajun steak; gently mix or leave layered for presentation.
- Garnish with parsley, extra cheese, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 300g)
- Calories: 730
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 150mg