If comfort food and bold flavor had a baby, it would be this Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan Sauce. This recipe combines tender, perfectly-seared Cajun steak bites with a rich, velvety parmesan cream sauce that clings beautifully to rigatoni. The result? A restaurant-style fusion pasta that’s spicy, cheesy, creamy, and incredibly satisfying.

This dish delivers everything you want from a weeknight dinner or indulgent weekend meal: deep savory notes from the steak, cozy creaminess from the sauce, little kicks of Cajun heat, and the hearty comfort of al dente rigatoni. It’s bold, it’s comforting, and it’s surprisingly simple to make — ready in under 35 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Cajun steak tips add next-level flavor

Steak tips seared at high heat deliver a gorgeous crust, locking in juices and creating rich flavor. Cajun seasoning brings smoky heat and depth.

2. The parmesan sauce is creamy, silky, and luxurious

Made with butter, garlic, cream, and freshly grated parmesan, this sauce coats the rigatoni like velvet and balances the Cajun spices perfectly.

3. It’s a complete, satisfying meal

Protein + pasta + flavor-packed sauce = one-pan comfort masterpiece.

4. Adaptable heat level

Use mild Cajun seasoning or increase the spice for a fiery dish.

5. Better than restaurant steak pasta

And much cheaper, too.

Ingredients

For the Cajun Steak Tips

• 1 lb sirloin steak, diced into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Cheesy Parmesan Rigatoni Sauce

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 1/4 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (extra for the sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup pasta water (as needed)
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Rigatoni

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook rigatoni until al dente.
3. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water and drain the rest.

2. Prepare the Cajun Steak Tips

4. Pat steak dry and toss with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Sear steak cubes 1–2 minutes per side until browned.
7. Remove steak and set aside (do not overcook — they finish later).

3. Build the Cheese Sauce

8. Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet.
9. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
10. Pour in heavy cream and milk; whisk until combined.
11. Add parmesan cheese, paprika, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
12. Simmer gently until thickened, stirring constantly.
13. Add pasta water as needed to make the sauce silky.

4. Combine Everything

14. Add cooked rigatoni into the sauce and toss well.
15. Add steak tips back into the pan, including any juices.
16. Toss until steak is warmed through and sauce coats everything.

5. Serve

17. Garnish with parsley and freshly grated parmesan.
18. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, spicy perfection.

Cajun Steak Tips in Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan Sauce

Tender Cajun-seasoned steak tips tossed with creamy parmesan rigatoni in a bold, cheesy, slightly spicy sauce. A rich and comforting dinner ready in under 35 minutes.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Cajun Fusion

Calories: 690

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cajun Steak Tips

• 1 lb sirloin steak cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp salt

Cheesy Rigatoni Parmesan Sauce

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta
• 3 tbsp butter
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1.25 cups parmesan cheese freshly grated
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning for sauce
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cup pasta water reserved
• 0.25 cup parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Pasta pot
• Knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

1. Cook rigatoni until al dente and reserve pasta water.
2. Season steak with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Sear steak tips in a hot skillet until browned; remove and set aside.
4. Melt butter in the skillet and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
5. Add cream, milk, parmesan, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and pepper.
6. Simmer until thickened, adding pasta water as needed.
7. Add rigatoni to sauce and toss to coat.
8. Return steak tips to the skillet and mix until warmed through.
9. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes

Use freshly grated parmesan for the creamiest sauce.

Tips for Perfect Cajun Steak Pasta

Use a hot skillet

High heat = better sear = more flavor.

Freshly grated parmesan melts better

Bagged cheese can make sauces grainy.

Don’t overcook the steak

It becomes chewy; rewarming in sauce is plenty.

Add pasta water gradually

It keeps the sauce glossy, smooth, and restaurant-quality.

Balance the spice

Too mild? Add cayenne.
Too spicy? Add extra cream or parmesan.

Variations

Creamier Version

Add 2 oz cream cheese into the sauce.

Veggie Add-Ins

• Sautéed mushrooms
• Roasted red peppers
• Spinach
• Broccoli

Protein Variations

• Cajun chicken
• Blackened shrimp
• Sausage

Make It Smoky

Add 1 teaspoon chipotle paste or smoked paprika.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Cajun steak rigatoni with:

• Garlic bread
• Roasted asparagus
• A simple green salad
• Parmesan-crusted broccoli

Leftovers reheat beautifully — just add a splash of milk when warming.