Here’s a complete guide for a garlic butter steak bites paired with smoky chipotle cream cheese pasta—a rich, flavorful combo perfect for a hearty dinner:
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
- 1 lb (450 g) sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Season the steak: Pat steak cubes dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear the steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add steak bites in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Sear 2–3 minutes per side until browned but still juicy inside.
- Add garlic and butter: Lower heat to medium. Add butter and garlic, stirring for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Toss steak in the melted butter and garlic.
- Finish: Sprinkle with fresh thyme or parsley before serving.
Smoky Chipotle Cream Cheese Pasta
Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
- 1–2 teaspoons chipotle chili in adobo sauce, minced (adjust heat to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Make the sauce: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic and onion until soft. Stir in cream cheese, milk/cream, chipotle, and smoked paprika. Cook until smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. If sauce is too thick, use reserved pasta water to loosen. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Finish and serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve pasta with garlic butter steak bites on top or on the side.
Tips for Best Results
- For steak bites, don’t overcrowd the pan—you want a nice sear.
- Adjust chipotle heat based on your spice preference. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more if desired.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.
If you want, I can also make a one-pan version where the steak bites cook in the pasta sauce for even more flavor—super easy cleanup. Do you want that version?
