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Creamy Garlic Pasta & Steak

Recipe by Nicki Mejia on InstagramAdded 11 November 2026.

10 minutes to prep, 15 to cook. A luxurious yet quick pasta dish featuring a rich tomato‑cream sauce infused with garlic and a hint of spice, tossed with rigatoni and finished with buttery Parmesan. Tender strip steak adds a hearty, savory contrast, making this meal feel restaurant‑worthy while staying ready in just 20 minutes.

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Method

  1. Cook the rigatoni according to the package directions, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

  2. Season the steak with your favorite steak seasoning and let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes.

  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  4. Add the tomato paste, paprika, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until the tomato paste darkens slightly.

  5. Pour in the heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Stir in the reserved pasta water and let the sauce simmer for 7–8 minutes.

  6. Mix in the grated Parmesan until melted, then toss in the cooked rigatoni. Add a splash of extra pasta water if you’d like a thinner sauce.

  7. Sear the steak in a very hot skillet for about 3–4 minutes per side until a golden crust forms. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

  8. Top the creamy pasta with sliced steak and serve.

Tips while you cook

Reserve pasta water before draining
Save 1 cup of pasta water before draining the rigatoni to adjust sauce consistency later.
Rest seasoned steak before cooking
Let the seasoned steak sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before searing.
Simmer sauce after adding cream
After whisking in heavy cream, simmer the sauce for 7–8 minutes to thicken before adding pasta.
Rest sliced steak before serving
Allow the cooked steak to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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Nicki Mejia made this.

The recipe comes from Nicki Mejia’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

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