Okay, so you’re looking for that perfect holiday main dish, right? Something that feels special enough for Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving, but won’t have you chained to the stove all day? Well, let me tell you, this Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini is exactly that! It’s got that warm, comforting vibe from the creamy pasta, but with a little kick from the Cajun seasoning that makes it totally exciting. Seriously, the first time I made this, my whole family inhaled it. It’s just one of those dishes that brings everyone together, and it smells absolutely divine while it’s cooking!

Why This Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini Recipe Shines

Flavor Explosion: The zesty Cajun seasoning on the tender steak tips, paired with that super rich, cheesy Parmesan sauce? It’s a match made in holiday heaven.
Quick & Easy: Seriously, you can get this on the table in under an hour, which is a lifesaver when you’ve got a million other things to do during the holidays.
Crowd-Pleaser: Even the pickiest eaters will love this. It’s comforting, it’s cheesy, it’s got steak – what’s not to adore?
Festive Presentation: A sprinkle of fresh parsley makes it look so pretty and festive, perfect for your holiday table.

Gather Your Ingredients for Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for this amazing dish! You’ll want to have everything prepped and measured before you start cooking, trust me, it makes everything so much smoother, especially when the holidays are buzzing around you. Gather these goodies and you’ll be halfway to a spectacular meal!

Essential Ingredients for Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini

Here’s what you’ll need to grab:

About a pound and a half of beef sirloin steak tips – I like to cut mine into nice, bite-sized pieces, about an inch big.
Two tablespoons of your favorite Cajun seasoning. Don’t be shy with this stuff!
A tablespoon of good olive oil for searing.
A whole pound of rotini pasta – those little corkscrews are perfect for catching all that yummy sauce.
Four tablespoons of butter – the real stuff, please!
Four cloves of garlic, all minced up nice and fine.
A cup and a half of heavy cream. This is what makes it so decadent.
A cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is always best, it melts so much smoother.
Just a half teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper to balance everything out.
And for the grand finale, about a quarter cup of fresh parsley, chopped up for a pop of color and freshness.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

So, about that Cajun seasoning – if you like things with a bit more fire, totally add another teaspoon or even a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. It’s your kitchen, make it sing! And while rotini is my go-to because it’s like a little sauce magnet, feel free to use penne, fusilli, or even spaghetti if that’s what you’ve got on hand. Just make sure whatever pasta you pick, you cook it al dente! Nobody likes mushy pasta, especially not for a holiday meal. Oh, and if you don’t have fresh parsley, a little bit of chopped chives would be really pretty too!

Mastering the Preparation of Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini

Okay, let’s get this party started in the kitchen! This dish comes together pretty quickly, so it’s perfect for when you’ve got guests arriving soon or you just want a delicious meal without spending hours slaving away. Just follow these steps and you’ll have a showstopper on your hands in no time!

Preparing the Steak Tips

First things first, let’s get those steak tips seasoned up. Toss them in a bowl with that glorious Cajun seasoning, making sure every little piece is coated. Now, grab a big skillet – a cast-iron one is my favorite for getting a good sear – and heat up that tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. You want the pan nice and hot! Carefully add the steak tips in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of sear! Cook them for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re beautifully browned and cooked to your liking. I like mine medium-rare, but you do you! Once they’re done, just scoop ’em out and set them aside on a plate.

Crafting the Cheesy Parmesan Sauce

Now, back into that same skillet (no need to wash it – all those browned bits are flavor gold!) melt your butter over medium heat. Toss in all that minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute until it smells amazing. Be careful not to burn it! Pour in the heavy cream and let it start to simmer gently. Once it’s just bubbling, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until that cheese is all melted and the sauce is nice and thick. It should coat the back of a spoon beautifully. If it seems too thick, just add a tiny splash more cream.

Assembling Your Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini

While the sauce is simmering, make sure your rotini pasta is cooked according to the package directions. Drain it well and pop it right back into its pot. Now, pour that luscious cheesy sauce over the pasta and add the cooked steak tips back in. Give it all a good, gentle toss until every piece of pasta and every steak tip is coated in that creamy, dreamy sauce. Make sure to get everything heated through for a minute or two.

Tips for Perfect Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini

Okay, so you want this dish to be absolutely perfect, right? It’s all about a few little tricks. Don’t worry, they’re super easy and make a huge difference. These little tips will ensure your Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini is a total winner every single time you make it, even for those fancy holiday dinners!

Achieving Tender Steak Tips

The biggest secret to tender steak tips is not to overcook them! Seriously, cook them just until they’re browned and done to your liking. Also, don’t crowd the pan when you’re searing them – give them space to get that nice crust. A quick rest after cooking helps too!

Creating a Silky Sauce

When you’re making that cheesy sauce, keep the heat on medium-low once you add the cream and Parmesan. Stirring constantly is key! This stops the cheese from getting grainy and makes sure the sauce stays smooth and lovely. If it starts to get too thick, just add a tiny splash more cream and stir it in.

Serving and Storing Your Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini

This dish is pretty much a complete meal on its own, but if you want to add a little something extra, it’s great with a simple Caesar salad or some crusty garlic bread. The salad cuts through the richness of the pasta, and the bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce – not that there’ll be any!

Serving Suggestions

A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is fantastic alongside this. Or, if you’re feeling it, some steamed broccoli or green beans adds a nice bit of freshness and color to the plate.

Storage and Reheating

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let the dish cool completely, then pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep well for about 3 days. To reheat, I like to gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, maybe adding a tiny splash of milk or cream if it seems a bit thick. You can also microwave it, just stir it halfway through to make sure it heats evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini

Can I make Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini ahead of time?

You totally can prep some parts ahead! Cook the pasta and steak separately and store them in the fridge. Then, make the sauce and combine everything right before you want to serve it for the best texture. It’s a great way to cut down on last-minute fuss!

What can I serve with Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini?

This dish is pretty hearty on its own, but a big, fresh salad with a zesty dressing is perfect to balance it out. Some crusty garlic bread is also amazing for soaking up that leftover cheesy sauce. For a veggie boost, steamed asparagus or green beans are lovely!

How do I adjust the spice level in Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini?

That’s the beauty of Cajun seasoning – you’re in control! For more heat, just add a little extra Cajun seasoning when you toss the steak tips, or throw in a pinch of cayenne pepper. If you want it milder, use a bit less seasoning or opt for a milder Cajun blend.

Nutritional Estimate for Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini

Now, keep in mind these numbers are just estimates, because how much you use of each ingredient can change things a bit! But generally, one serving of this glorious Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini comes in around 750 calories. It’s got about 45g of fat, 35g of protein, and 55g of carbs. It’s pretty satisfying, which is exactly what you want for a holiday main course!

Amazing Cajun Steak Tips Recipe

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Parmesan Rotini is a flavorful pasta dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Tender steak tips seasoned with Cajun spices are tossed with rotini pasta and a rich, cheesy Parmesan sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs beef sirloin steak tips
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound rotini pasta
4 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Toss steak tips with Cajun seasoning.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak tips and cook until browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
Cook rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pot.
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens.
Add drained rotini and cooked steak tips to the skillet. Toss to coat pasta and steak in the sauce.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

For a spicier dish, add more Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
You can substitute other pasta shapes for rotini.
Ensure steak is cooked to your preferred level of doneness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 750
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 45g
Saturated Fat: 25g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 150mg

Keywords: Cajun steak, cheesy pasta, Parmesan rotini, holiday dinner, Christmas, Thanksgiving, steak tips, creamy pasta, holiday recipe