My creamy steak pasta features juicy steak, a flavorful parmesan cream sauce, and our secret ingredient: cowboy butter. We use an easy dry brine that will make this taste like it came from your favorite expensive steakhouse.
1PoundRibeye SteakYou can also use Strip or Sirloin
1TeaspoonKosher Salt
½TeaspoonFreshly Ground Black Pepper
1TablespoonVegetable Oil
8OuncesPastaI used Fettuccine
4TablespoonsCowboy ButterRecipe Below
2TablespoonsButterUnsalted if possible
2ClovesGarlicMinced
¾CupHeavy Cream
½CupParmesanFreshly Grated
½CupPasta WaterAs Needed
Parsley and Extra ParmesanIf Desired For Garnish
Cowboy Butter Recipe
½CupButterSoftened
2ClovesGarlicMinced
1TablespoonDijon Mustard
1TablespoonLemon JuiceFreshly Squeezed
1TeaspoonLemon Zest
1TablespoonFresh ParsleyFinely Chopped
1TeaspoonSmoked Paprika
½TeaspoonRed Pepper FlakesOptional
½TeaspoonFreshly Ground Black Pepper
¼TeaspoonSalt
Instructions
For the Cowboy Butter
Soften butter in a bowl until it is spreadable.
Stir in all remaining cowboy butter ingredients until well combined. Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes if time allows.
For the Pasta
Pat steak dry and season with salt. Allow to rest for about 40 minutes at room temperature. Season with pepper.
Cook pasta according to the package direction in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
Heat oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet over high heat until smoking.
Cook steak for 2–4 minutes per side until flipping every 30 seconds until you reach your desired level of doneness. We prefer medium rare around 130-135℉.
Rest steak for 5-10 minutes while you make the sauce.
Lower heat to medium and add butter. Once melted add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in heavy cream and parmesan, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Cook for 2–3 minutes. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of cowboy butter. Add a splash of pasta water if needed.
Add cooked pasta and toss to coat.
Plate and top with steak sliced against the grain. Garnish with parsley, extra parmesan, and extra cowboy butter if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Don't overcook the steak, we like medium rare which is around 130 degrees. I usually pull it at 125.Don't skip resting. This allows the juices to redistribute towards the center of the meat so they end up in your mouth not on the plate.Store cowboy butter covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.