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Homemade Garlic Herb Butter Steak Bites Pasta recipe photo

Garlic Herb Butter Steak Bites Pasta

This Garlic Herb Butter Steak Bites Pasta is bursting with flavor! Tender steak bites and pasta tossed in a rich, garlicky herb butter sauce make a perfect quick dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound steak sirloin or tenderloin, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces pasta your choice of shape such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons butter divided
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Colander
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring spoons

Method
 

Prepare the pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Sear the steak bites
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt. Season the steak bites generously with salt and pepper. Add the steak pieces to the hot skillet in a single layer without overcrowding. Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden-brown and cooked to desired doneness. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Make the garlic herb butter sauce
  1. Lower heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
Combine pasta and steak bites
  1. Return steak bites to the skillet with the garlic herb butter sauce. Toss to coat. Add cooked pasta and gently toss everything together. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Garnish and serve
  1. Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.

Notes

  • For a lighter option, swap regular pasta for whole wheat or legume-based pasta to increase fiber and protein.
  • Use olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free or heart-healthy version.
  • Adding sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms can boost nutrition and color.
  • Be careful not to overcrowd the pan to ensure proper searing of steak bites.
  • Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to the pasta.