If you’re craving a dinner that’s rich, bold, and ridiculously satisfying, this Cajun Steak Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan is about to become your new favorite comfort-food masterpiece. It brings together tender, juicy steak tips coated in smoky Cajun spices, perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta, and a luxuriously creamy cheese sauce that clings to every bite. It’s everything you love about a hearty pasta dish—turned up with a spicy, Southern twist.
🔥 A Pasta Dish With Real Personality
What makes this recipe truly irresistible is the seared Cajun steak. Each piece gets a beautifully browned crust while staying tender and juicy inside. The seasoning blend adds a punch of heat, garlic, and smokiness that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
Then comes the cheese. A trio of Parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese melts into a smooth, velvety sauce enriched with garlic, butter, milk, and cream. The result? A silky coating that transforms simple rigatoni into a decadent, restaurant-worthy dish.
🍝 Why Rigatoni?
Rigatoni is the ideal pasta here—its wide tubes and ridges trap the sauce inside and out, ensuring every forkful is packed with flavor. When combined with the savory steak, it creates a balanced, luxurious texture that’s impossible to resist.
👨🍳 A One-Pan Comfort Classic
This dish is surprisingly easy to make. After cooking the pasta, everything comes together in the same skillet used to sear the steak—meaning maximum flavor and fewer dishes. The steak juices blend with the butter and garlic to form the foundation of the sauce, giving the finished dish a deep, savory richness.
🌿 Finish With Freshness
A sprinkle of chopped parsley brightens each plate with a pop of color and freshness. It’s a simple touch that lifts the rich flavors and completes the dish beautifully.
🍽️ A Crowd-Pleaser Every Time
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, making a cozy date-night meal, or prepping an impressive dish for guests, Cajun Steak Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan never disappoints. It’s hearty, comforting, and bursting with bold flavors—everything you want in a weeknight indulgence.
Serve it hot, cheesy, and loaded with steak, and watch it disappear from the table in minutes.
Print⭐ Cajun Steak Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan: A Comfort-Food Pasta Loaded With Flavor
Juicy Cajun steak pieces, melty rigatoni pasta, and gooey parmesan for a super satisfying and cheesy meal everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 50 Minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Pasta Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Steak Tips
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1.5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
680 g sirloin or ribeye steak tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
Cheesy Parmesan Rigatoni
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
0.5 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
110 g shredded mozzarella cheese
100 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
115 g cream cheese, softened
120 ml whole milk
360 ml heavy cream
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
340 g rigatoni pasta
Instructions
1. Start by boiling a big pot of water with a good pinch of salt. Drop in rigatoni and cook until just tender, following the box for timing. Save a cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Pour olive oil into a large pan and heat over medium-high. Mix steak bites with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear until golden on all sides. Add butter halfway through and baste. Let the steak rest.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, milk, and cream cheese until smooth.
4. Slowly add mozzarella, Parmesan, and Cajun seasoning. Whisk until melted. Season to taste. Add pasta water if sauce becomes too thick.
5. Toss the cooked rigatoni into the sauce. Add the steak and let everything simmer on low for a few minutes.
6. Spoon onto plates, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
Saving some pasta water lets you thin out your sauce if it’s too thick.
Let the steak tips sit a bit before slicing to keep them juicy.
