Description
A quick and hearty weeknight dinner combining juicy steak bites with buttery, garlicky tortellini in a rich, smoky cowboy butter sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 12 ounces frozen cheese tortellini
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cut steak into 1-inch bite-sized cubes. Season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne, and dried thyme.
- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add frozen tortellini and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 3-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add steak bites in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in smoked paprika and cayenne. Let butter bubble and turn golden brown.
- Return steak bites to the skillet, add cooked tortellini, and toss gently to coat in the cowboy butter sauce. Warm together for 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese over the top. Toss gently once more.
- Serve immediately, optionally with a green salad or roasted vegetables.
Notes
[‘Sear steak in batches to avoid overcrowding and steaming.’, ‘Use fresh minced garlic for best flavor.’, ‘Let butter bubble and turn golden brown for a nutty flavor, but watch carefully to avoid burning.’, ‘Season steak and pasta well; taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.’, ‘Cook tortellini al dente to prevent mushiness when tossed with sauce.’, ‘Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach at the end for a veggie boost.’, ‘Leftover steak can be used to save time.’, ‘Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet with a splash of water or cream to loosen sauce.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 390
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: steak bites, tortellini, cowboy butter sauce, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy recipe, garlic butter, smoked paprika, hearty dinner