Sizzling Cajun Steak Pasta Recipe: Zesty Comfort in Every Bite

Spicy aromas from a cajun steak pasta recipe waft through my kitchen, promising an adventurous meal.

Peppers and robust seasonings dance across tender meat and silky noodles.

Robust flavors blend southwestern heat with classic comfort food textures.

Creamy sauce coats each strand, creating memorable bites that spark conversation.

Regional spices kick traditional pasta into an exciting culinary experience.

Skilled home cooks can easily master this restaurant-quality dish with simple ingredients.

Prepare to savor every delicious forkful of this mouthwatering dinner.

Cajun Pasta With Steak That’s Creamy, Bold, And Filling

• Spice Up Weeknight Dinners: This Cajun steak pasta transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal with bold, zesty flavors that wake up your taste buds.
• Quick and Easy Cooking: Prepare this restaurant-quality dish in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Adjust spice levels and ingredients to suit personal preferences, creating a versatile recipe that adapts to different palates and dietary needs.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup by using the same pan for cooking steak, creating sauce, and combining ingredients, saving time and reducing dish washing hassle.

Cajun Steak Pasta Ingredient Checklist

• Steak: Rich meat that provides hearty protein and pairs perfectly with Cajun flavors, best when medium rare with good marbling.
• Pasta: Pasta base that absorbs the creamy sauce and provides texture to the dish, choose medium-sized pasta like penne or fusilli.

• Cajun Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Classic spice blend that adds deep, smoky southern flavor and enhances meat's natural taste.

• Garlic Puree: Provides rich, intense garlic flavor without raw garlic chunks.
• Onion: Adds sweet and savory base notes to the sauce.
• Red Pepper: Introduces mild heat and color to the dish.
• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, rich sauce texture with tangy undertone.
• Beef Stock Cube: Boosts umami depth and enhances overall meaty flavor.
• Pasta Water: Helps create silky sauce consistency and binds ingredients.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty complexity to the final dish.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright color and light herbaceous garnish.

Cajun Steak Pasta Cooking Made Easy

Step 1: Spice Up the Steak

• Cajun seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Heat a skillet to high temperature and sear the steak for about 1.5 minutes on each side for a perfect medium-rare doneness.

Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest while preparing the other components.

Step 2: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt.

Bring to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until it reaches that perfect al dente texture.

Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Sauce

• Minced garlic
• Diced onions
• Chopped red pepper

Soften the vegetables until they become fragrant and translucent.

• Cajun seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pour in some pasta water and crumble a beef stock cube into the mixture.

Stir until everything combines into a rich, creamy sauce.

Step 4: Slice the Steak

Carefully cut the rested steak into bite-sized cubes, ensuring each piece is roughly the same size for even distribution.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Gently toss the cooked pasta in the creamy sauce.

Sprinkle generously with grated parmesan cheese.

Arrange the steak cubes on top of the pasta.

Drizzle any remaining sauce over the dish.

Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Flavorful Finishing Tips for Cajun Steak Pasta

• Use a hot cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan to get a beautiful golden-brown crust without overcooking the meat.
• Adjust Cajun seasoning according to personal heat tolerance by using mild or hot varieties of the spice blend.
• Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to help it melt smoothly into the sauce without lumps.
• Reserve some pasta cooking water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
• Cut the steak perpendicular to the muscle fibers to ensure tender, easy-to-chew meat pieces.

Store Cajun Steak Pasta Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, preserving quality for 2-3 weeks.
• Warm gently in microwave with splash of milk or water, stirring every 30 seconds to prevent drying.
• Warm briefly in skillet over low heat or microwave at 50% power to maintain tenderness and prevent overcooking.

Pasta or Salads to Pair with Cajun Steak Pasta

• Amplify Cajun Heat with Zinfandel: Bold red Zinfandel wine perfectly matches the spicy Cajun flavors, cutting through the creamy sauce while complementing the steak's robust profile.
• Cool Down with Crisp Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with citrus vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness, providing a refreshing contrast to the heavy pasta and creamy sauce.
• Beer Pairing Power: Choose a hoppy IPA or amber ale that stands up to the Cajun spices, offering a crisp and slightly bitter counterpoint to the creamy, meaty pasta.
• Herbal Herb Infusion: Serve with a classic mojito or herbal cocktail featuring mint and lime, which cleanses the palate and adds a bright, zesty dimension to the spicy Cajun flavors.

Cajun Steak Pasta New Styles

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace steak with grilled firm tofu or tempeh, seasoned with Cajun spices for a plant-based alternative that maintains bold flavor profiles.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure Cajun seasoning is certified gluten-free to create a celiac-friendly version of the original recipe.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash, keeping the Cajun sauce and protein intact for a lighter meal.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Swap cream cheese with cashew cream or coconut milk, and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan to accommodate dairy-sensitive diets.

FAQs

• What is Cajun seasoning?

A blend of spices like paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, oregano, and cayenne that originates from Louisiana, giving dishes a spicy and robust flavor profile.

• Can I use a different type of steak?

Yes, ribeye, sirloin, or New York strip work well. Choose a cut that’s tender and has good marbling for the best results.

• How spicy is this pasta dish?

The heat level depends on the amount of Cajun seasoning used. You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less seasoning to suit your taste preferences.

• Is this recipe considered a one-pan meal?

Almost! While you’ll use multiple steps, everything is primarily prepared in the same skillet, making cleanup easier and preserving the delicious flavor buildup from cooking.

Cajun Steak Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Spicy Cajun steak pasta delivers a bold culinary journey through Louisiana’s hearty flavors. Creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned steak create a mouthwatering experience you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 200 grams (7.05 ounces) sirloin steak
• 120 grams (4.23 ounces) dry pasta
• 70 grams (2.47 ounces) reduced-fat garlic herb cream cheese

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 crumbled beef stock cube

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 small white onion, diced
• 1 small red pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic puree
• 3 sprigs parsley, chopped
• 10 grams (0.35 ounces) grated parmesan cheese

Liquid:

• 150 milliliters (5.07 fluid ounces) pasta water

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Instructions

1. Massage the steak generously with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both sides.
2. Heat a skillet to high temperature and sear the steak for approximately 1.5 minutes per side, achieving a perfect medium-rare doneness. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until it reaches al dente texture, maintaining a slight firmness.
4. In the same skillet used for the steak, sauté minced garlic, diced onions, and sliced red peppers until they become translucent and fragrant.
5. Introduce cream cheese to the vegetable mixture, blending in additional Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create a rich, creamy base.
6. Deglaze the pan with reserved pasta water and crumble the beef stock cube, stirring thoroughly to create a smooth, flavorful sauce.
7. Slice the rested steak into bite-sized cubes, ensuring even pieces for consistent distribution.
8. Combine the cooked pasta with the prepared sauce, tossing gently to coat each strand evenly.
9. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan over the pasta and arrange the steak cubes on top.
10. Finish the dish by drizzling any remaining sauce and garnishing with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.

Notes

• Choose a high-quality cut like ribeye or sirloin for maximum flavor and tenderness when preparing Cajun steak pasta.
• Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity based on personal spice tolerance, using less for mild palates or more for heat lovers.
• Rest the steak for 5-7 minutes after cooking to lock in juices and ensure optimal meat texture when slicing.
• Use heavy cream instead of cream cheese for a lighter, smoother sauce that coats pasta more evenly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 620
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 75g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 80mg