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Home » Main Dishes Recipes » Beef Main Dishes

STEAK BITES AND PENNE IN GARLIC PARMESAN VELVETY SAUCE

Updated: May 4, 2026 · Published: Apr 16, 2025 by Sana Umer · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Steak Bites and Penne in Garlic Parmesan Velvety Sauce is a satisfying, flavour-packed meal perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Tender pieces of seasoned steak from a fancy restaurant are seared until perfectly golden.

The penne pasta captures all the luscious garlic parmesan sauce in every bite. Whether you're making it for guests or simply spoiling yourself after a long day, this dish brings a big flavor with easy-to-find ingredients.

The garlic parmesan sauce is the star of the show—smooth, velvety, and full of cheesy richness. It coats every piece of pasta and steak beautifully. Fresh garlic and good-quality cheese can really elevate the taste.

Don’t worry about complicated steps—this dish comes together quickly in under 40 minutes. It's great for weeknights when you want something impressive with minimal cleanup and effort.

Once served, pair it with a crisp salad or some roasted veggies. Sprinkle a little fresh parsley or cracked pepper on top, and you’ve got yourself a plate of pure comfort. Leftovers reheat well and taste just as delicious the next day.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

  • Incredibly Tender Steak: Juicy steak bites are seared to perfection and packed with flavor in every bite.

  • Luxurious garlic parmesan Sauce: The creamy sauce is velvety smooth and full of garlicky, cheesy deliciousness.

  • Quick and Easy: Bringing this impressive dish together takes under 40 minutes from start to finish.

  • Great for Weeknights: Simple ingredients and one pan for the steak make this ideal for busy weeknight cooking.

  • Family Favourite: This cheesy pasta dish with steak will delight everyone at the table, kids and adults.

  • Restaurant Quality at Home: Tastes fancy without the price tag or complicated steps.

  • Flexible and Adaptable: Swap pasta shapes, adjust seasoning, or add greens to make it your own.

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 lb sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS

  • Step No.1: Cook the pasta
    Boil penne in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Toss lightly with oil to prevent sticking.

  • Step No.2: Season and sear the steak
    Season steak bites with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a pan and sear steak until browned and cooked through.

  • Step No.3: Remove and rest
    Transfer cooked steak to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Let it rest while preparing the sauce.

  • Step No.4: Make the roux
    In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until golden.

  • Step No.5: Create the sauce
    Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking. Add Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the sauce thickens into a silky texture.

  • Step No.6: Combine everything
    Add the cooked penne to the sauce and toss to coat. Gently fold in the rested steak bites and stir to combine.

  • Step No.7: Garnish and serve
    Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Optional: Add extra grated Parmesan or a crack of black pepper on top.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

  • Use High-Quality Steak: Sirloin or ribeye gives the best texture and flavor for tender, juicy bites.

  • Don’t Overcook the Steak: Sear just until browned to keep it juicy—steak continues cooking when added back later.

  • Season Generously: Proper seasoning on steak and in sauce brings depth and balance to the dish.

  • Simmer the Sauce Gently: Avoid boiling to prevent separating or over-thickening the cream sauce.

  • Stir the Pasta in Sauce: Letting pasta finish in the sauce makes it soak up all that rich flavour.

  • Rest the Steak Before Mixing: This keeps juices locked in and prevents it from becoming chewy.

  • Freshly Grated Cheese: Use fresh Parmesan, not the pre-shredded kind, for a smoother, meltier sauce.

VARIATIONS

  • Chicken Instead of Steak: Use boneless chicken breast or thighs if you prefer poultry over red meat.

  • Add Spinach or Peas: Stir in greens during the final step for color and nutrition information.

  • Mushroom Lover’s Twist: Sauté mushrooms with garlic for an earthy, umami-rich version.

  • Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a little extra heat and punch.

  • gluten-free diet Option: Use gluten-free pasta and cornstarch instead of flour in the sauce.

  • Lemon Garlic Upgrade: Add a splash of lemon juice and zest for brightness to cut through the richness.

  • Extra Cheesy: Stir in mozzarella or fontina for an even richer, stretchier cheese sauce.

SERVING AND STORAGE

Serving

Serve hot with a crisp Caesar salad and garlic bread for a complete, indulgent dinner your guests will remember.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream.

FAQ

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, cook the pasta and steak ahead and store them separately. Assemble with sauce when ready to eat for best results.

What cut of steak is best for this recipe?

Sirloin or ribeye is ideal. Flank steak works, too, but be careful not to overcook, or it can become chewy.

Can I use milk instead of cream?

You can, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich. Whole milk is the best alternative to cream here.

How do I reheat without drying out the steak?

Add a splash of cream or broth and reheat gently on low heat to keep the steak tender and moist.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! Any short pasta like rotini, rigatoni, or shells will hold the sauce just as well.

Steak Bites and Penne in Garlic Parmesan Velvety Sauce is the ultimate comfort dish that brings luxury to your dinner table without stress.

The richness of the garlic Parmesan sauce pairs beautifully with the seared steak and pasta, offering a hearty and indulgent meal that's full of flavor and easy to love.

This dish is a great way to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

Whether it's for a romantic night in, a casual dinner with friends, or just a well-deserved treat after a long day, this recipe checks all the boxes.

Make it once, and it’s sure to become a repeat favorite.

STEAK BITES AND PENNE IN GARLIC PARMESAN VELVETY SAUCE

Sana Umer
Tender steak bites are seared to perfection and tossed with penne in a rich, velvety garlic parmesan sauce. This hearty, creamy dish delivers comforting flavours and is perfect for a quick dinner or an indulgent date-night meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine American-Italian Fusion
Servings 4 people
Calories 560 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 lb sirloin steak cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Cook penne in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet. Season steak bites with salt and pepper, then sear until browned. Remove from skillet.
  • In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
  • Stir in cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Add parmesan and Italian seasoning. Stir until smooth.
  • Toss in cooked pasta and steak bites. Mix well until coated in sauce.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Make Ahead: Cook the pasta and steak bites in advance; combine with sauce just before serving.
  • Customizing the Flavor: Add red pepper flakes for heat or mushrooms for an earthy twist.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve with garlic bread and a crisp Caesar salad.
  • Allergy-Friendly Options: Swap cream and cheese for dairy-free alternatives for a lactose-friendly version.
  • Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove.
Keyword creamy steak pasta, easy pasta dinner, garlic parmesan steak, penne with steak, steak bites pasta

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About Sana Umer

I'm Sana Umer — the home cook behind every recipe on For Foodie Friends. I'm a Pakistani-American mom of two based in the US, and I've been cooking seriously for about a decade now, mostly because feeding a family every day is the fastest way to learn how to actually cook.

I'm completely self-taught. I learned by watching my mother in Pakistan, by burning a lot of food in my early years, and by paying attention to which recipes worked and which ones needed fixing. I don't specialize in just one cuisine — I cook the Pakistani dishes I grew up with, the American desserts my kids request, weeknight dinners, holiday roasts, and everything in between.

Every recipe is personally tested in my own kitchen, every word is written by me, and every photo is taken of food I actually made.

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Hi, I'm Sana Umer — the home cook, recipe tester, and writer behind For Foodie Friends.

I'm a Pakistani-American mom based in the US. I learned to cook in two kitchens — my mother's in Pakistan, where I grew up watching whole spices bloom in oil, and my own kitchen now, where I cook for my husband and kids.

Every recipe on this site has been tested in my own kitchen, often more times than I'd like to admit, before it ever made it here. I cook a little bit of everything: the Pakistani comfort food I grew up with, the American desserts my kids beg for, weeknight dinners that need to come together fast, and the holiday spreads that take all day.

If a recipe is on this site, it earned its place. No ghostwriters, no AI shortcuts, no copy-paste from somewhere else — just real recipes from a real kitchen, written to actually work the first time you make them.

Welcome to my corner of the internet.

— Sana

More about me →

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