"My sister-in-law made this once and I couldn’t stop eating it. I was out of control. If I make it, it will be gone in no time, so I don’t dare. There is just something so good about this!" Must express something to keep getting my recipes..

 

Ingredients

For the Garlic Butter Steak Bites

• 1.5–2 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
  (or use ribeye, NY strip, tenderloin, or flat iron)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ¾ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 4–5 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

• Optional: ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

• Optional: 1–2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (for depth)

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For the Creamy Parmesan Shells

• 12 oz small pasta shells

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)

• 1 cup heavy cream (or sub extra milk, though sauce is lighter)

• 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan
  (Do NOT use pre-shredded powdery stuff)

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon salt (taste before adding more)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• Optional: ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (classic touch)

• Optional: ½ cup pasta water (for thinning as needed)

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⭐ Why This Dish Works (The Science)

Understanding why the recipe works ensures perfect results:

1. Steak bites need HIGH HEAT + DRY SURFACE

Moisture prevents browning. Browning = flavor.
Patting steak dry and preheating the skillet ensures a delicious crust.

2. Garlic cooks best AFTER the sear

Burnt garlic is bitter.
We add garlic when the pan cools slightly in butter.

3. Parmesan melts properly only in a hot, emulsified base

A roux + milk/cream = stable sauce.
Dumping Parmesan into plain milk will make it gritty.

4. Small shells capture sauce

The curves, ridges, and cup-like shape hold creamy Parmesan better than other pasta shapes.

These principles combine into a dish that is both luxurious and easy.

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⭐ Step-by-Step: Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Step 1: Prepare the Steak Properly

Pat steak cubes dry with paper towels.

Season with:

• Salt

• Pepper

• Garlic powder

Let sit for 10 minutes.

Why?
Salt pulls moisture to the surface first, then reabsorbs into the meat, seasoning deeply.

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Step 2: Preheat Your Skillet

Use a cast-iron skillet if possible.
Heat on medium-high until VERY hot.

Add 1 tablespoon oil.

The oil should shimmer.

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Step 3: Sear the Steak Bites

Add steak cubes in a single layer — do NOT overcrowd.

Cook:

• 1 minute untouched

• Flip

• Cook another 1–2 minutes

Remove from pan immediately.

The steak should be:

• Browned

• Juicy

• Medium-rare to medium

If you like it more done, you can finish cooking later in the garlic butter.

Repeat in batches.

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Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter

Reduce heat to medium-low.

Add 4 tablespoons butter and let melt.

Add:

• Minced garlic

• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Cook only 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

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Step 5: Return Steak to the Pan

Add steak back and spoon garlic butter over cubes.

Optional: add 1–2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce.

Sprinkle fresh parsley.

Turn off heat.

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Result:

Beautifully browned, tender beef bathed in fragrant garlic butter.
But we’re not done yet — now comes the companion dish that makes this a complete experience.

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⭐ Step-by-Step: Creamy Parmesan Shells

Step 1: Cook the Shells

Boil pasta shells in salted water until al dente.

Reserve ½ cup pasta water.

Drain.

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Step 2: Make the Roux

In a saucepan:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter

• Add 2 tablespoons flour

Whisk constantly 1–2 minutes.

It should be light blond.

Do NOT brown the roux — we want a smooth white sauce.

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Step 3: Add Milk & Cream

Slowly whisk in:

• 2 cups milk

• 1 cup heavy cream

Whisk until smooth and thickened (5–7 minutes).

Don’t rush this step — slow thickening creates the silkiest sauce.

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Step 4: Season the Base

Add:

• Garlic powder

• Onion powder

• Salt

• Pepper

• Nutmeg (optional)

Taste. Adjust.

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Step 5: Add Parmesan

Reduce heat to low.

Add 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan, a handful at a time.

Whisk until melted and smooth.

If too thick, add pasta water a spoonful at a time.

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Step 6: Combine Sauce and Shells

Add cooked shells into the Parmesan sauce.

Stir.

Let pasta sit 2–3 minutes so sauce clings perfectly.

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⭐ Bring It All Together

Serve garlic butter steak bites over a generous spoonful of creamy Parmesan shells — or side by side, depending on preference.

Sprinkle:

• Fresh parsley

• Extra Parmesan

• Black pepper

The contrast is incredible:

• The pasta: velvety and mild.

• The steak: bold, buttery, garlicky, rich.
  Together: a luxury comfort-food explosion.

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⭐ Flavor Variations

1. Cajun Steak Bites

Season steak with:

• Cajun seasoning

• Smoked paprika

Add a splash of cream to the garlic butter for a spicy sauce.

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2. Lemon Herb Steak Bites

Add:

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• Fresh thyme

Bright, refreshing, restaurant-style.

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3. Creamy Truffle Shells

Add:

• ½ teaspoon truffle oil at the end

• Extra Parmesan

Luxurious and aromatic.

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4. Mushroom Parmesan Shells

Sauté mushrooms in butter and add to the sauce.

Adds umami and richness.

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5. Four Cheese Shells

Add:

• Fontina

• Mozzarella

• Asiago

• Parmesan

Super melty, stretchy, and indulgent.

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6. Spicy Parmesan Shells

Add:

• Crushed red pepper flakes

• A splash of hot sauce

Balances the creaminess.

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⭐ Troubleshooting

Steak Bite Problems & Fixes

1. Steak is chewy
→ Pan wasn’t hot enough OR overcooked.
Solution: Use higher heat, cook shorter time.

2. No browning
→ Too much moisture, overcrowded pan.
Solution: Dry steak and cook in small batches.

3. Garlic burns
→ Pan too hot.
Solution: Add garlic after lowering heat.

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Pasta Problems & Fixes

1. Gritty sauce
→ Pre-grated Parmesan OR heat too high.
Solution: Use freshly shredded cheese, low heat.

2. Too thick
→ Add pasta water gradually.

3. Too thin
→ Simmer longer OR add 1 teaspoon flour whisked into cold milk.

4. Clumpy sauce
→ Cheese added too fast.
Solution: Add in handfuls.

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⭐ Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with:

Vegetables

• Garlic roasted broccoli

• Balsamic Brussels sprouts

• Asparagus with lemon

• Sauteed spinach

Bread

• Garlic bread

• Buttered baguette

• Herb focaccia

Fresh Sides

• Caesar salad

• Tomato cucumber salad

Wine Pairing

• Cabernet Sauvignon

• Malbec

• Chardonnay

• Pinot Grigio

The cream sauce loves acidity, and the steak loves tannin.

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⭐ Meal Prep & Storage

Refrigerator

3–4 days.

Reheating Tips

• Add a splash of milk or broth to shells.

• Reheat steak bites on the stove, not microwave, to prevent overcooking.

Freezer

Cream sauces freeze poorly, so NOT recommended.

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⭐ Make-It-Faster Options

• Use pre-cut steak tips.

• Use pre-shredded REAL Parmesan (the refrigerated kind).

• Use half-and-half instead of milk + cream.

• Cook steak and pasta simultaneously.

Total time: 20 minutes.

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⭐ Healthier Swaps

• Use half the butter.

• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

• Use whole-wheat shells.

• Use sirloin or flank steak (leaner cuts).

• Add vegetables directly into the sauce.

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⭐ Restaurant-Style Presentation

For a bistro-quality plate:

1. Spoon Parmesan shells in a neat mound.

2. Stack steak bites on top (creates height).

3. Drizzle garlic butter over everything.

4. Add fresh parsley + black pepper + Parmesan curls.

Gorgeous.

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⭐ Why This Dish Is So Popular

This recipe appears in many viral videos and cooking blogs because it perfectly balances:

✔ quick cooking time
✔ rich and savory flavors
✔ familiar ingredients
✔ steakhouse vibes
✔ creamy comfort-food nostalgia
✔ extremely easy execution

It satisfies steak lovers and pasta lovers at the same time.

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⭐ Final Thoughts: The Perfect Comfort Meal

Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Creamy Parmesan Shells deliver everything you want in a satisfying meal — buttery meat, rich cheese sauce, tender pasta, and layers of flavor that feel indulgent yet doable on any night of the week.

This dish is:

• Cozy

• Impressive

• Affordable

• Foolproof

• Crowd-pleasing

• Adaptable

• Pure comfort on a plate

Once you try it, expect requests to make it again… and again.

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If you want, I can also create:

✅ A 1-page printable recipe
✅ A TikTok-style video script
✅ A healthier, low-calorie version
✅ A kid-friendly version
✅ A restaurant gourmet version

Just tell me!