Creamy Garlic Steak Penne (Printable)
Tender steak and fresh vegetables in a rich garlic cream sauce over penne pasta.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne pasta
→ Steak
02 - 1 lb sirloin steak, trimmed and sliced into thin strips
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Vegetables
05 - 2 cups broccoli florets
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Sauce
07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
12 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Add broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
02 - Season steak strips with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak for 2-3 minutes per side until just cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
04 - Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until just softened.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let sauce thicken slightly.
07 - Add drained penne and broccoli to the skillet, tossing thoroughly to coat with sauce. Return steak with accumulated juices to the pan. Mix until everything is well combined and heated through.
08 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy garlic sauce clings to every curve of penne, creating those perfect forkfuls where steak, pasta, and vegetables all come together in one bite.
- It transforms simple ingredients into something that feels like it came from a restaurant kitchen but comes together in under an hour.
- The broccoli adds fresh crunch while the cherry tomatoes burst with sweetness, balancing all that rich creaminess perfectly.
02 -
- Adding pasta water to the cream sauce creates a silky emulsion that clings better to each piece of pasta.
- Overcooking the steak makes it tough, so remove it while still slightly pink since it continues cooking when returned to the pan.
- The sauce thickens quickly off heat, so dont reduce it too much on the stove or it will become pasty.
03 -
- Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining, it saves more dishes than making a separate slurry to thicken sauce.
- Pat the steak strips completely dry before seasoning, otherwise theyll steam in the pan instead of developing that beautiful sear.