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Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Chipotle White Cheddar Shells

Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Chipotle White Cheddar Shells

If you’re craving the ultimate comfort food with a bold twist, Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Chipotle White Cheddar Shells is the perfect dish to make tonight. Juicy, pan-seared steak cubes coated in rich garlic butter are paired with tender pasta shells swimming in a smoky, spicy, and creamy white cheddar sauce. This easy recipe is hearty enough for a weekend dinner yet quick enough for a busy weeknight. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner ideas, indulgent comfort food, or pasta recipes with a kick, this dish will leave everyone asking for seconds.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 720 kcal

Equipment

  • Cast iron skillet
  • Large pot
  • saucepan

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g sirloin, ribeye, or New York strip steak, cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 300 g pasta shells
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped
  • 0.5 cup reserved pasta water (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ to 1 cup of pasta water.
  • Pat the steak cubes dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak cubes in batches, 2–3 minutes per side, until browned. Remove and set aside.
  • Lower the heat to medium, melt butter in the skillet, and sauté garlic until fragrant. Return steak bites to the pan and toss in garlic butter. Keep warm.
  • In a separate saucepan, simmer heavy cream with chopped chipotle peppers. Stir in white cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water.
  • Toss cooked pasta shells in the sauce until fully coated. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Plate pasta and top with garlic butter steak bites. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley before serving.

Notes

1. For the best sear, make sure your steak cubes are patted dry before seasoning.
2. Add pasta water gradually if the sauce thickens too much; this helps keep the sauce silky and smooth.

Nutrition

Calories: 720kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 48gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 720mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 20mg
Keyword chipotle pasta, Comfort Food, creamy pasta, easy dinner, steak bites recipe
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