Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (I usually go for fettuccine or linguine, but spaghetti works too)
- 12 ounces steak (ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak; choose your favorite)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (because garlic makes everything better)
- 1/2 cup beef broth or chicken broth (for that extra depth of flavor)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
If you don’t have beef broth on hand, water with a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce can work in a pinch. For a dairy-free version, swap butter for a plant-based margarine or olive oil and skip the Parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative. I’ve also swapped steak for chicken breast when the freezer was running low, and it turns out just as comforting.
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, season your steak generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian seasoning on both sides. This simple seasoning reminds me of the no-fuss meals my dad used to make—always flavorful and never complicated.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the steak and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or longer if you prefer it more done. Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board. Resting is crucial—I learned that the hard way when I first started cooking steak, rushing to slice it and ending up with a dry mess.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. When melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. This step fills the kitchen with that irresistible aroma that instantly makes me feel like dinner is going to be a hit.
- Pour in the beef broth and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits left from the steak. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Slice the rested steak thinly against the grain. This keeps it tender and easy to eat—especially important when feeding kids who might be skeptical about chewy meat.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss to coat well, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce feels too thick.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Then, gently fold in the sliced steak to warm through for another minute.
- Season to taste with extra salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side. My kids love when I let them sprinkle their own cheese—it’s a small moment, but it makes dinner feel interactive and fun.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Garlic Butter Steak and Pasta, recipe, cooking, food
