Why Make This Recipe
One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites is a fantastic meal that combines the rich flavors of steak with creamy tortellini and a mouth-watering butter sauce. This dish is perfect for a busy weekday dinner or a special occasion when you want to impress your family or guests. Not only is it delicious and filling, but it also requires minimal cleanup since everything is made in just one pan. The mix of spices and fresh herbs elevate this dish, making it a crowd-pleaser.
How to Make One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Directions:
Cook the Tortellini
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, cook the tortellini according to the package directions. The goal is to cook them until they’re tender but still firm to the bite. Usually, this takes just about 3-5 minutes, but check the package for specific times.
After the tortellini is cooked, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining them. This water will help to create a silky consistency for the cowboy butter sauce later. Once drained, set the tortellini aside. Cooking the pasta first ensures it’s ready to soak up the rich cowboy butter sauce once the steak is seared.
Prepare the Steak Bites
While the tortellini is cooking, you can prepare the steak bites. Start by patting the steak pieces dry with paper towels. This step helps you get a nice sear on the steak. Next, in a large bowl, season the steak with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned steak bites to the hot skillet in a single layer. Sear the steak for about 2–3 minutes per side until it is nicely browned and cooked to your preferred level of doneness. If you prefer your steak medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of about 130°F.
Once the steak bites are done, remove them from the skillet and let them rest on a plate while you prepare the sauce.
Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
Lower the heat to medium and add 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the same skillet used for the steak. Allow the butter to melt completely, scraping any flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and cook it for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant.
Next, stir in the red pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. The lemon juice will add a nice acidity to balance the richness of the butter. Once mixed, add the chopped parsley and chives and stir well to combine all of the flavors.
Combine Everything
Now it’s time to bring everything together. Add the cooked tortellini and the rested steak bites back into the skillet. Toss everything gently in the cowboy butter sauce until thoroughly coated.
At this point, if you find the sauce too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauciness. The water will help to loosen the sauce while ensuring it clings nicely to the tortellini and steak bites.
Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and creates a creamy texture. This will enhance the flavor and richness of the sauce even further.
Serve
Once everything is well combined and heated through, it’s time to serve. Plate the One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites while hot. You can garnish them with extra grated Parmesan cheese, freshly chopped parsley, and a light sprinkle of Cajun seasoning for added color and spice. Serve immediately, and enjoy the delightful taste of this dish!
How to Serve One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites
This delicious dish can stand alone as a hearty meal, but it also pairs well with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a more balanced dinner. Consider serving it with garlic bread or crusty rolls to soak up any leftover cowboy butter sauce left on your plate. A glass of red wine would complement the flavors beautifully, making for a comforting and complete meal.
How to Store One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites
If you have leftovers, you’re in luck because this dish stores well. Allow the cooked tortellini and steak bites to cool completely before transferring them into an airtight container. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm them gently in a skillet on medium-low heat until heated through, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if necessary.
For longer storage, you can freeze this dish. Make sure to store it in freezer-safe containers, and it can be kept for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat.
Tips to Make One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites
- Cut Your Steak Evenly: To ensure even cooking, cut the steak into uniform bite-sized cubes. This allows all pieces to cook at the same rate.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: If your skillet is too crowded when searing the steak, it can cause uneven cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Fresh vs. Refrigerated Tortellini: Fresh tortellini is softer and sometimes cooks faster than refrigerated varieties. Keep an eye on them while cooking.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes according to your heat preference. If you’re sensitive to spice, you might want to start with less and add more as desired.
Variations
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to add some vegetables to the dish. You can toss in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for an additional flavor and nutrition boost.
- Different Proteins: While the recipe calls for steak, you could use chicken or shrimp as alternatives. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as chicken will take longer to cook than steak.
- Herb Substitutions: If you don’t have fresh parsley or chives, other herbs like basil or thyme can work well in this recipe.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen tortellini for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen tortellini! Just cook them according to the package instructions, and they will work just as well in this dish.
2. What can I serve with One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites?
This dish can be enjoyed on its own but serves well with a side salad, steamed vegetables, or crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious butter sauce.
3. How can I make the sauce less rich?
If you want a lighter version of the sauce, you can reduce the amount of butter used or substitute some of it with olive oil. Additionally, adding more lemon juice will bring a fresher taste to balance the richness.
Enjoy your One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites meal; it’s a simple yet delightful dish that brings comfort and satisfaction to any dinner table.
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One-Pan Cowboy Butter Tortellini Steak Bites
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A delicious one-pan meal combining tender steak bites, creamy tortellini, and a rich cowboy butter sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to package directions and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
- Season the steak cubes and sear them in a hot skillet until browned and cooked to your liking, then remove and let rest.
- In the same skillet, melt butter, add garlic, and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice; add parsley and chives.
- Add tortellini and steak back into the skillet; toss with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, then serve hot.
Notes
Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg