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A serving of cozy homemade Cajun steak tips with cheesy Rigatoni pasta on a rustic plate.

Classic Cozy Homemade Cajun Steak Tips with Cheesy Rigatoni

This recipe features tender Cajun-seasoned sirloin steak tips paired with perfectly cooked rigatoni in a rich and creamy tomato sauce, finished with a blend of Colby Jack and Parmesan cheeses.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Steak and Seasoning
  • 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning adjust to your spice preference
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Pasta and Sauce
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
Cheese and Garnish
  • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • large pot
  • large skillet or Dutch oven

Method
 

Prepare the Steak
  1. Toss cubed sirloin steak with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook rigatoni until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Sear the Steak
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear steak tips in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and slightly pink, then remove and set aside.
Build the Sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium, add butter to the skillet, cook chopped onion until softened (about 5 minutes), then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Simmer the Sauce
  1. Pour in diced tomatoes and beef broth, bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits, then stir in heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Combine and Finish
  1. Return seared steak tips to the skillet with the sauce, add cooked rigatoni, then stir in Colby Jack and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy, adding reserved pasta water if needed for desired consistency.
Serve
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra spice, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Cajun seasoning. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add more beef broth instead of pasta water. This dish is excellent with a side salad to balance the richness.