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A serving of Cajun steak tips with cheesy rigatoni pasta on a plate.

Spicy Cajun Steak Tips with Double-Cheese Rigatoni

This recipe features tender sirloin steak tips seasoned with spicy Cajun spices, served alongside rigatoni pasta coated in a rich and creamy double-cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 750 kcal

Equipment

  • paper towels
  • medium bowl
  • large skillet or cast iron pan
  • large pot
  • whisk

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb sirloin steak cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning adjust to your spice preference
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk whole milk for richer sauce
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or another good melting cheese like Fontina
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Garnish (Optional)

  • fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

Prep and Cook Steak

  • Pat the sirloin steak cubes dry with paper towels, then toss them with Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl until evenly coated.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the seasoned steak tips for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and done to your liking; remove and set aside.

Cook Rigatoni

  • While the steak rests, boil salted water in a large pot and cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

Make Cheese Sauce

  • In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant, then sprinkle in flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
  • Gradually whisk in milk until the sauce thickens (3-5 minutes), then reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and smooth.
  • Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Combine and Serve

  • Add the cooked rigatoni and seared steak tips to the cheese sauce, tossing gently to coat; add more pasta water if needed to adjust thickness.
  • Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra spice, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce. You can also experiment with different cheese combinations based on your preference.