If you love creamy pasta, garlicky butter sauce, and perfectly seared steak, this one-skillet spicy garlic butter Parmesan steak pasta will be your new weeknight favorite. Juicy steak slices, a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce, and just the right touch of heat from red pepper flakes come together for a bold, comforting dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✨ One-Pan Meal – Pasta, sauce, and steak all cook in a single skillet. Minimal cleanup!
✨ Bold Garlic Butter Flavor – Fresh garlic infused into melted butter = pure flavor heaven.
✨ Creamy Parmesan Sauce – Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the pasta for a luscious, cheesy coating.
✨ Tender Steak – Quick-seared steak stays juicy and flavorful.
✨ Adjustable Spice – Red pepper flakes bring heat, but you can scale it up or down.
✨ Quick & Easy – Simple ingredients and only 30 minutes from stove to table.
This dish is everything you love about garlic butter steak and cheesy pasta—combined into one skillet.
Ingredients
Main:
- 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak, thinly sliced
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 4 cups beef broth
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning & Garnish:
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté Garlic & Spice
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Steak
- Season steak with salt and pepper.
- Add to skillet and sear 3–4 minutes until browned.
- Remove steak and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta
- Pour beef broth into the same skillet.
- Add pasta and cook until al dente (10–12 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Make it Creamy
- Return steak to skillet.
- Stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy, coating the pasta.
- Serve & Garnish
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Top with parsley, more Parmesan, or extra red pepper flakes.
Tips for the Best Steak Pasta
- Slice Against the Grain – Keeps steak tender and juicy.
- Use Fresh Parmesan – Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as smoothly.
- Toast the Chili Flakes – Heating them in butter deepens their flavor.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente – It will absorb sauce as it rests.
- Let it Rest – A 2-minute rest after cooking allows the sauce to thicken naturally.
Variations
- Protein Swap – Use chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms instead of steak.
- Extra Creamy – Add a splash of cream or cream cheese to the sauce.
- Vegetable Boost – Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes at the end.
- More Heat – Add cayenne pepper or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.
- Freeze: Best to freeze just the steak and sauce; cook fresh pasta when serving.
Serving Ideas
Pair this rich pasta with:
🥖 Garlic bread or toasted baguette
🥗 A crisp Caesar or arugula salad
🥦 Roasted veggies (zucchini, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts)
Final Thoughts
This one-skillet spicy garlic butter Parmesan steak pasta is indulgent, comforting, and surprisingly easy. With tender steak, a cheesy garlic-butter sauce, and just the right amount of spice, it feels like restaurant-quality comfort food—but on your table in 30 minutes.