Description
This Creamy Ranch Steak & Mozzarella Garlic Butter Pasta combines tender seared steak bites with al dente penne pasta enveloped in a rich, creamy ranch-infused mozzarella garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this dish offers a delightful blend of savory flavors and creamy textures that come together effortlessly in one skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak
- 1 pound steak (sirloin or ribeye), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (approximately 1 ounce)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Sear the Steak: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized steak pieces and season with salt and pepper. Sear the steak until it is browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for the steak, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the ranch seasoning mix. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly while stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate Cheese: Add the shredded mozzarella to the skillet and stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Steak: Add the drained pasta and seared steak back into the skillet. Toss everything together to fully coat the pasta and steak with the creamy ranch mozzarella sauce.
- Serve: Serve the creamy ranch steak pasta hot. Optionally, top with extra shredded cheese or fresh herbs for garnish and additional flavor.
Notes
- For best steak flavor, use sirloin or ribeye cuts.
- Make sure not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of milk or pasta water to loosen it.
- For a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but sauce will be less rich.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: steak pasta, creamy ranch pasta, mozzarella pasta, garlic butter pasta, dinner recipe, quick steak dinner
