One busy week, I found myself with some steak and fettuccini, thinking of how to whip up something quick yet satisfying. The idea of combining them with a rich Alfredo sauce sounded perfect. It turned out to be a family hit, and now it feels special without the fuss.
The key to this dish is layering flavors, starting with garlic sautéed in butter before adding the steak. This creates a fragrant base for the Alfredo sauce, making it comforting while keeping it simple.
Ingredients in Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Alfredo
This dish thrives on a few key ingredients that come together to create a creamy experience. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Steak: Choose your favorite cut—ribeye, sirloin, or filet—this is the star of the show, bringing savory depth to the dish.
- Steak Seasoning: This adds a punch of flavor, enhancing the meat’s natural taste and creating a nice crust when searing.
- Dry Fettuccini Noodles: These noodles are perfect for holding onto that creamy Alfredo sauce, making every bite satisfying.
- Avocado Oil: Great for high-heat cooking, this oil helps sear the steak without overpowering its flavor.
- Butter: Essential for that rich garlic flavor, it creates a luscious base for the sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds aromatic depth, infusing the butter and sauce with its signature taste.
- Heavy Cream: This adds a luxurious texture to the sauce, ensuring it clings beautifully.
- Half and Half: This balances the richness of the heavy cream, creating a smooth consistency.
- Freshly Cracked Pepper: A sprinkle of this adds subtle heat and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Parmesan Freshly Grated: Freshly grated parmesan melts into the sauce, giving it that cheesy richness that rounds out the dish.
How to Make Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Alfredo
This dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy nights. The combination of creamy Alfredo and savory steak impresses without a lot of fuss.
Prep Steak: Cut the steak into 2-3″ pieces. Rub them with 4-5 tablespoons of oil and season generously with steak seasoning, saving some for later. Your steak should be well-coated and ready to sear.
Sear Steak: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Cook the steak for 3-4 minutes per side, flipping only once, until it’s nicely browned and has a crust. You’ll hear a satisfying sizzle as it cooks.
Make Garlic Butter: Set the steak aside in a bowl. Lower the heat to low, add butter and garlic to the same pan. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, but be careful not to burn the garlic.
Combine Steak and Garlic: Return the steak to the pan and toss it in the garlic butter. Let it sit in the bowl, covered with tented foil, while you prepare the sauce.
Cook Noodles: In a separate pot, cook the fettuccini according to package directions until al dente. It should be tender but still have a bit of bite.
Prepare Alfredo Sauce: In the same pan, add butter and the remaining garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then, pour in the heavy cream and half and half, adding the reserved steak seasoning. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Finish Sauce: Stir in the grated parmesan until it’s melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Combine Everything: Drain the fettuccini and toss it in the Alfredo sauce until well-coated. Top with garlic-coated steak bites.
Now, dig in and enjoy a meal that feels special without breaking a sweat!
Switch It Up: Easy Variations
Sometimes you want to mix things up, especially on busy nights. Here are a few ways to customize this Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Alfredo:
Chicken, Salmon, or Shrimp Swap: Not a steak person? Swap it for chicken, salmon, or shrimp—just follow the same cooking method, tossing them in garlic butter for that same great flavor.
Gorgonzola Optional Addition: If you’re looking for an extra flavor boost, consider adding Gorgonzola cheese. It pairs really well with steak and Alfredo, adding a nice tangy kick.
Gluten-Free Pasta Variation: You can use a gluten-free pasta alternative instead of the standard fettuccini. It’ll still hold that creamy sauce beautifully!
Different Pasta Types Variation: Feel free to substitute fettuccini with other types of pasta like linguini, spaghetti, bucatini, or angel hair. Each one brings its own twist to the dish!
Keeping the Creamy Goodness
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If you want to freeze it, go ahead—but keep in mind it’s best enjoyed fresh. You can freeze it for about 3 months, but let the dish cool completely before sealing it up to prevent ice crystals from forming.
When it’s time to reheat, do it gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of cream to keep the sauce creamy and stir often to avoid it separating or burning. It’ll come back to life in no time, ready to be enjoyed again!
Make It a Feast
When you’re serving up Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Alfredo, it’s all about pairing flavors that complement that creamy, savory goodness. Here are a couple of sides that’ll round out your meal nicely.
Perfect Side Dishes
- Tossed Garden Salad: A simple tossed garden salad brings a refreshing crunch that balances the richness of the steak and sauce.
- Serve with Zuppa Toscana Soup: This hearty soup complements the creamy pasta nicely.
- Serve with Garlic Breadsticks: Perfect for dipping into that Alfredo sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- 1 cup parmesan freshly grated: Top your dish with extra parmesan for that cheesy finish.
What sides do you think would complement your Garlic Butter Steak? Give one a try and enjoy a meal that feels special any night of the week!
Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Alfredo for Quick Weeknight Meals
Ingredients
Method
- Cut steak in 2-3″ pieces, rub with avocado oil and season liberally, reserving 2 teaspoons of seasoning for alfredo sauce.
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high and add 3 tablespoons avocado oil. Cook them a few minutes per side flipping just once (cook time is according to your preferred doneness – see notes for steak temps).
- Set the steak aside in a bowl, reduce the heat to low and add 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon minced garlic, cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add steak back in and toss in the garlic butter. Then set aside back into a bowl, cover with tented foil.
- Before preparing the sauce, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles.
- In the same pan with residual butter, add 4 tablespoons butter and remaining garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Add in the heavy cream, half & half and 2 teaspoons of steak seasoning. Simmer and reduce about 3-4 minutes.
- To the cream sauce add in the grated parmesan and whisk until smooth and thickened. Remove from the heat and add green onions. Taste and adjust if needed.
- Drain the fettuccini and add it into the alfredo sauce, tossing until it’s evenly coated. Top it with the garlic coated steak bites, along with a sprinkle of extra green onions and parmesan if desired.
