Description
This Steak Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines perfectly cooked flat iron steak with tender penne pasta, all enveloped in a rich, cheesy garlic sauce. Enhanced with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted green chile, and fresh spinach, it’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Steak and Seasoning
- 1 lb flat iron steak (or ribeye or sirloin)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp cornstarch (or 1 tbsp flour)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Add-ins and Garnish
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ¼ cup green chile (roasted, peeled, and chopped, can use canned)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
- Red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the dried penne pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Steak: Season both sides of the steak liberally with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil once hot.
- Cook Steak: Place the steak in the hot skillet and cook for 2-4 minutes per side depending on thickness and desired doneness. For medium rare, remove when the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F, allowing carry-over heat to rise to 140-145°F. Remove steak from pan and let rest.
- Make Cream Sauce - Sauté Garlic: In the same or another large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Thicken Sauce: Whisk in cornstarch (or flour) until fully dissolved. Gradually stir in chicken broth and milk, stirring frequently. Allow the sauce to thicken and come to a boil.
- Add Cheese: Once boiling, stir in mozzarella and parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Veggies: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, roasted green chile, and fresh spinach. Cook for 2-4 minutes until the spinach wilts. If needed, turn off heat and cover to wilt spinach thoroughly.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the rested steak thinly and add on top of the pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, and extra parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For the steak, ribeye or sirloin can be used as alternatives to flat iron steak.
- You can substitute cornstarch with all-purpose flour for thickening the sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes depending on your spice preference.
- To speed up preparation, pre-cooked steak or leftover steak can be used.
- Use low-fat milk for a lighter version of the creamy sauce.