Description

This Cajun Steak Bites and Cheesy Garlic Shells Skillet is a delightful one-pan meal featuring tender, flavorful steak cubes seasoned with spicy Cajun seasoning, paired with creamy, cheesy garlic pasta shells. Perfect for a comforting dinner that comes together quickly and packs a punch of bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Steak Bites

1 ½ lbs sirloin steak or ribeye, cut into bite-sized cubes
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cheesy Garlic Shells

8 oz medium pasta shells
2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp black pepper
Salt, to taste
¼ cup reserved pasta water (optional)

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells to al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Prepare Steak: Pat steak cubes dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Toss the steak pieces in Cajun seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook Steak Bites: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil. Sear steak bites in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until nicely browned. In the final minute of cooking, add butter and minced garlic to the skillet, tossing the steak to coat with the flavorful butter-garlic sauce. Remove steak bites from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic for Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Make Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan and lift up all the browned bits for flavor. Let it simmer gently to thicken slightly.
Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Continue stirring until the cheeses have fully melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta shells into the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat all the pasta. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
Finish and Serve: Top the cheesy garlic shells with the seared Cajun steak bites. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.

Notes

For best results, use a cast iron skillet to get a good sear on the steak cubes.
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
Adjust Cajun seasoning amount to your spice preference.
Reserve pasta water to help loosen sauce and improve texture if it thickens too much.
Make sure not to overcook the steak bites to keep them tender and juicy.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently to avoid drying out the steak.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Searing, Sautéing, Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 620
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 730mg
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 130mg

Keywords: Cajun steak bites, cheesy garlic shells, one skillet meal, creamy pasta, quick dinner, spicy steak, comfort food