Ohhh this is a bold, creamy, spicy comfort bomb 😮🔥—Cajun steak + cheesy penne is a straight-up winner.
🥩🌶️🧀 Cajun Steak in Cheesy Penne
Ingredients
- 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1½ cups shredded cheese
(cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend) - ¼ cup parmesan, grated
- Salt & black pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes, parsley, bell peppers
Instructions
- Cook the pasta
Boil penne in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water. Drain. - Cook the steak
- Pat steak dry, season generously with Cajun seasoning.
- Heat oil in a hot skillet.
- Sear steak 3–4 minutes per side (medium-rare) or to preference.
- Rest 5 minutes, then slice thin.
- Make the sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter.
- Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in cream, milk, remaining Cajun seasoning, and pepper.
- Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Cheese it up
- Lower heat. Stir in shredded cheese and parmesan until smooth.
- Thin with pasta water if needed.
- Combine
- Add pasta and sliced steak to sauce.
- Toss gently to coat.
- Finish & serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Garnish with parsley or extra parmesan.
🔥 Pro Tips
- Slice steak against the grain for tenderness.
- Want extra heat? Add cayenne or chili oil.
- Don’t boil the sauce after adding cheese—it can break.
- Swap steak for blackened chicken or shrimp if you feel like it.
If you want a one-pan version, extra-spicy Cajun Alfredo style, or baked cheesy finish, I’ve got you 😏🍝
