Oh man, let me tell you about my go-to garlic steak pasta recipe – it’s the hero of my weeknight dinners! You know those nights when you’re starving, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? This dish comes together in under 30 minutes and packs so much flavor, you’d think you slaved over it. The garlic gets all toasty and fragrant, the steak stays juicy, and the pasta soaks up every bit of that deliciousness. My husband started requesting this at least twice a week after I first made it – it’s that good. The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Steak Pasta Recipe
This garlic steak pasta recipe is seriously one of those magic dishes that hits all the right notes:
- Weeknight lifesaver: Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish – faster than takeout!
- Flavor bomb: Juicy steak + golden garlic = the most amazing savory combo
- No-fuss cooking: Simple ingredients, one pan, minimal cleanup (my kind of dinner)
- Crowd-pleaser: Equally perfect for date night or feeding hungry kids
Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become part of your regular rotation. It’s that good.
Ingredients for Garlic Steak Pasta
Here’s what you’ll need to make this garlic steak pasta shine – simple ingredients that pack a punch of flavor:
- 8 oz steak – I use ribeye or sirloin, sliced thin against the grain (makes it extra tender!)
- 8 oz pasta – Any shape you love works, but spaghetti or fettuccine are my go-tos
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh is best here, not the jarred stuff
- 2 tbsp olive oil – For that perfect sear on the steak
- 1/2 tsp salt – I use kosher salt for even seasoning
- 1/4 tsp black pepper – Freshly cracked makes all the difference
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan – The real stuff, not the powdered kind
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped – For that bright, fresh finish
See? Nothing fancy – just good ingredients treated right. That’s the secret to great cooking!
How to Make Garlic Steak Pasta
Alright, let’s get cooking! This garlic steak pasta comes together so easily – just follow these simple steps and you’ll have restaurant-quality results right at home. The key is nailing that perfect sear on the steak and getting the garlic just golden (not burnt!).
Cooking the Steak
First things first – get that pan screaming hot! I use medium-high heat and let my trusty cast iron skillet heat up for a good 2-3 minutes before adding anything. Then in goes the olive oil – you’ll know it’s ready when it shimmers. Now, lay those beautiful steak slices in a single layer (don’t crowd them!) and resist the urge to move them around. Let them develop that gorgeous brown crust – about 2 minutes per side for medium-rare. Pro tip: if your steak sticks to the pan, it’s not ready to flip yet – be patient!
Combining the Pasta and Garlic
Once the steak’s done, set it aside and lower the heat to medium. Now here comes the magic – toss in that minced garlic and let it sizzle for just about 30 seconds to a minute. You want it fragrant and lightly golden, not brown (burnt garlic is bitter, and we don’t want that!). Then add your cooked pasta straight into the pan – the residual heat will help all those flavors mingle beautifully. Give everything a good toss to coat the pasta in all that garlicky goodness. Finally, add the steak back in, sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley, and you’re done! See? Told you it was easy.
Tips for the Best Garlic Steak Pasta
Want to take your garlic steak pasta from good to “wow”? Here are my tried-and-true tricks:
- Rest your steak – After cooking, let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing. This keeps all those precious juices inside!
- Save pasta water – That starchy liquid gold helps create the perfect silky sauce texture when tossing everything together.
- Garlic timing is everything – Add it right after the steak comes out so it doesn’t burn while you’re still searing meat.
- Spice it up – A pinch of red pepper flakes adds nice heat without overpowering the garlic’s flavor.
Oh, and one last thing – always taste and adjust seasoning at the end! Sometimes all a dish needs is an extra pinch of salt to really sing.
Variations of Garlic Steak Pasta
The beauty of this garlic steak pasta is how easily you can mix it up! Swap the steak for chicken breast or shrimp if you prefer – just adjust cooking times accordingly. Veggie lovers, toss in mushrooms, spinach, or roasted cherry tomatoes. Feeling fancy? Try asiago or pecorino cheese instead of Parmesan. I’ve even made it with zucchini noodles when I’m cutting carbs – still delicious!
Serving Suggestions for Garlic Steak Pasta
This garlic steak pasta is already a complete meal, but I love pairing it with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette – the acidity cuts through the richness perfectly. Warm, crusty garlic bread is another must for soaking up every last bit of sauce. For garnish, I always set out extra grated Parmesan and a handful of fresh parsley leaves – let everyone customize their bowl to taste. Sometimes I’ll even add a lemon wedge for squeezing over the top – that bright zing takes it to another level!
Storing and Reheating Garlic Steak Pasta
Leftovers? No problem! This garlic steak pasta keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days – just make sure it’s in an airtight container. When reheating, I always go for the stovetop over the microwave. Just splash in a little water or reserved pasta water to bring back that silky texture. Pro tip: reheat gently over medium-low heat and stir often – you don’t want to overcook that perfect steak!
Garlic Steak Pasta FAQs
Got questions about making the perfect garlic steak pasta? I’ve got answers! Here are the ones I get asked most often:
Q: Can I use frozen steak for this recipe?
A: You can, but fresh is best! If using frozen, thaw completely in the fridge first and pat VERY dry – excess moisture prevents good browning. Personally? I think fresh steak gives better texture and flavor.
Q: What pasta shape works best with garlic steak pasta?
A: Any shape you love! I’m partial to long noodles like spaghetti or fettuccine because they twirl beautifully with the steak slices. But penne, rigatoni, or even bowties work great too – it’s all about what makes you happy!
Q: How do I keep my garlic from burning?
A: Ohhh this is crucial! Garlic burns FAST. The second it hits the pan, stir constantly and remove it from heat the moment it turns light golden (about 30 seconds). That lingering heat keeps cooking it – better to undercook slightly than overdo it!
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! Swap the steak for portobello mushrooms or eggplant slices – you’ll still get that meaty texture. Just cook your veggie substitute first until nicely browned before adding the garlic.
Q: What’s the secret to super tender steak in pasta dishes?
A: Two things: 1) Slice against the grain – this cuts through tough muscle fibers. 2) Don’t overcook! Medium-rare steak stays juiciest when tossed with hot pasta later.
Nutritional Information
Keep in mind that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use – these are just estimates to give you a general idea. The beauty of cooking at home is you control exactly what goes into your garlic steak pasta!
Now I’d love to hear how your garlic steak pasta turns out – did you add any personal twists? Share your creations with me (I’m always looking for new ideas!). This recipe never fails to satisfy in my house, and I hope it becomes a favorite in yours too. Happy cooking!
Print
30-Minute Garlic Steak Pasta Recipe Your Family Will Devour
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A delicious and easy garlic steak pasta recipe that combines tender steak with flavorful garlic and pasta for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz steak, sliced
- 8 oz pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add steak slices and cook until browned.
- Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the pan with the steak and garlic. Mix well.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- Use any pasta of your choice.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: garlic steak pasta, easy pasta recipe, steak pasta
