Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Parmesan Shells – The Ultimate Comfort Duo
Do you want to prepare something which is cozy yet luxuriuos or simple yet indulgent at the same time? The Ultimate Comfort Duo is here with the solution; pair together our tender gourmet garlic butter steak bites with our rich cream and parmesan pasta shells. It’s one of the ‘fork in the air’ meals that you simply cannot ignore and with every bite, you start smiling.
Juicy tender steak flashes new life when seared and bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce. The steak is then bedded over shinny cream which is dotted with parmesan, then swathed in overflowing shells of pasta. It is hard to fathom, but every flavor sings in perfect unison — the textural opus, the shine of the duteous garlic, the heft of the pasta, the rich buttery cream, and the persistent whisper of the tender steak, all is true harmony. Do you know the best part? This exotic meal can be made from the comfort of your own home in a mere 30 minutes. It is perfect for romantic date nights, to dazzle your friends, or simply to savor on nights you want to feel special.
Why You’ll Love This Comfort Duo
✅ You can save time, it takes 30 minutes to prepare which is faster than take out.
✅ The taste is as if from a restaurant, you will feelfull and satisfied!
✅ it’s a win for the steak and pasta lovers
✅ You will not spend a lot of time cleaning.
✅ You can Bain Marie different proteins, or add in different pasta or veggies for fun.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Steak Bites:
1.5 lbs (680 g) beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 tbsps butter
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 beef steak
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, optional
Salt, black pepper & olive oil
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
For the Creamy Parmesan Shells:
12 oz (340 g) pasta shells (medium or large)
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
⅔ cup heavy cream
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
Optional, ½ cup peas, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes
Equipment
Wooden spoon or spatula, large cast iron skillet (best for steak) and large pot for pasta.
Sharp knife & cutting board, tongs, strainer/colander.
Step 1-Cook the Pasta
Put some water in a large pot and salt it. Wait until the water boils. In the meantime, cook some pasta shells until they are al dente, then drain it. Make sure to reserve ½ cup of the water the pasta was cooked in.
Step 2- Make the Parmesan Sauce.
Put some butter in the pot and put it on the flame for some time. After the butter is nicely melted, add some garlic and stir for 30 seconds. After a while, add some heavy cream and butter and mix it till it becomes a smooth consistency. After that, toss the pasta in and add some of the reserved water in bit by bit till the pasta is sauced up.
Step 3- Sear the Steak Bites
Pat the beef dry and season it with salt and pepper. After that, take some olive oil and put it in the pan and put it on high. When the oil in the pan is hot, add the beef in and cook it for 2-3 minutes on each side, till they are medium rare. Take the beef out and put it on the side. Lower the flame to medium and add butter, garlic, some herbs and Worcestershire sauce and mix it till it becomes a glossy sauce.
Step 4- Serve
Put a good serving of pasta with the sauce on a plate, then put some beef on top. Garnish with some chopped parsley and Parmesan.
Pro Tips for the Best Steak & Pasta
- Dry the beef well before searing — moisture prevents browning.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan — work in batches for a good crust.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan — it melts smoother than bagged cheese.
- Reserve pasta water — it’s liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency.
- Let steak rest 5 minutes — keeps it juicy and tender.
Easy Variations & Substitutions
- Mushroom upgrade: Sauté mushrooms with the steak.
- Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Wine sauce: Deglaze the steak pan with ¼ cup red wine.
- Protein swap: Use chicken bites or shrimp instead of steak.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta shells.
Serving, Pairing & Storage
- Serve: Fresh from the skillet with a crisp green salad and garlic bread.
- Pair: A glass of red wine, sparkling water with lemon, or iced tea.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth. Avoid microwaving steak (it dries out).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What cut of beef works best?
A: Sirloin, tenderloin, or ribeye — all sear quickly and stay tender.
Q: Can I use frozen steak?
A: Not recommended — thaw fully first to avoid steaming instead of searing.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Best served fresh, but you can prep ingredients in advance for quicker cooking.
Q: Can I reheat leftovers?
A: Yes — reheat in a skillet with cream or broth to refresh the sauce.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Parmesan Shells
Course: DinnerCuisine: continentalDifficulty: beginner10
minutes20
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minutesIngredients
- For The Steak Bites
1.5 lbs (680 g) beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 tbsps butter
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 beef steak
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, optional
Salt, black pepper & olive oil
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- For The Parmesan Shells
12 oz (340 g) pasta shells (medium or large)
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
⅔ cup heavy cream
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup peas, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes
Directions
- Step 2- Make the Parmesan Sauce.
Put some butter in the pot and put it on the flame for some time. After the butter is nicely melted, add some garlic and stir for 30 seconds. After a while, add some heavy cream and butter and mix it till it becomes a smooth consistency. After that, toss the pasta in and add some of the reserved water in bit by bit till the pasta is sauced up. - Step 3- Sear the Steak Bites
Pat the beef dry and season it with salt and pepper. After that, take some olive oil and put it in the pan and put it on high. When the oil in the pan is hot, add the beef in and cook it for 2-3 minutes on each side, till they are medium rare. Take the beef out and put it on the side. Lower the flame to medium and add butter, garlic, some herbs and Worcestershire sauce and mix it till it becomes a glossy sauce. - Step 4- Serve
Put a good serving of pasta with the sauce on a plate, then put some beef on top. Garnish with some chopped parsley and Parmesan. - Step 1-Cook the Pasta
Put some water in a large pot and salt it. Wait until the water boils. In the meantime, cook some pasta shells until they are al dente, then drain it. Make sure to reserve ½ cup of the water the pasta was cooked in.
Notes
- Dry beef well for best sear.
Use fresh Parmesan for creamy sauce.
Store leftovers up to 3 days; reheat gently with cream.