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+ servings
Cowboy butter steak rigatoni in a skillet.
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5 from 1 vote

Cowboy Butter Steak Rigatoni

Tender seared steaks and a rich, buttery cowboy butter cream sauce tossed with rigatoni. This dish is comforting, hearty, and absolutely crave-worthy!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 820kcal
Author: Ashley Boyd

Ingredients

Steak

Cowboy Butter Rigatoni Sauce

  • 1 lb rigatoni
  • 8 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 shallot sliced
  • ½ red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 jalapeño seeded & diced (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried
  • 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 2 tablespoon parsley chopped
  • 1 tablespoon green onions or chives, chopped
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Season the steaks

  • In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture all over both sides of the ribeye steaks.

Sear the steaks

  • Heat a large heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, place the steaks in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until a golden crust forms. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and spoon it over the steaks for about 30 seconds. Remove the steaks to a plate and let them rest.

Cook the pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Start the sauce

  • In the same skillet used for the steak, melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the shallot, red bell pepper, and jalapeño and cook until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add garlic and seasonings

  • Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add paprika, red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning, thyme, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce and stir well.

Make it creamy

  • Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce slightly thickens.

Finish the sauce

  • Stir in the lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and green onions. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Add the pasta

  • Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss until all of the pasta is coated in the sauce.

Serve

  • Slice the rested steaks and place them on top of the pasta. Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan before serving.

Notes

  • Let the steak rest before slicing. This keeps it juicy.
  • Don't skip freshly grated Parmesan. It melts more smoothly than pre-shredded.
  • Use heavy cream, not milk or half-and-half. This helps prevent your sauce from curdling.
  • Use a heavy skillet to achieve a nice golden sear on the steaks.
  • Make Ahead: Cook the sauce up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Reheat gently while you cook the steak and pasta.
  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in a skillet with a splash of milk to loosen sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 820kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Sodium: 720mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g