Are you looking for a midweek meal that delivers big on taste without taking hours to prepare? Something that combines the fiery zest of spicy steak with the creamy, comforting joy of cheesy pasta? If that sounds like heaven, then we’ve got just the recipe for you. Prepare to be delighted by these sensational Cajun Steak Bites and Cheesy Garlic Shells, a dish that proves you can create something truly special with minimal fuss.

We feel this recipe achieves a wonderful harmony of flavours and textures. The steak bites are seared until perfectly juicy, coated in a fragrant Cajun spice mix that sings in the skillet. We then nestle them amongst tender pasta shells bathed in a smooth, decadent cheese sauce, richly infused with garlic and Parmesan. Each shell serves as a perfect little vessel, scooping up that glorious sauce with every mouthful. It’s the sort of dinner that gathers everyone around the table and guarantees clean plates all around. Let’s get cooking and create this memorable meal together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A 30-Minute Meal: This is a perfect choice for a busy evening. From start to finish, you’ll have this delicious dinner on the table in under half an hour.
• Full of Rich Flavour: The mix of smoky Cajun spices with the deep, savoury notes of the garlic and Parmesan sauce is a combination you’ll simply adore.
• Wonderfully Creamy and Comforting: This dish is the very definition of comfort food. The luscious, cheesy pasta is like a warm hug in a bowl, balanced perfectly by the tender steak.
• Made with Simple Ingredients: We use straightforward ingredients that you can easily find in any supermarket, making it a great recipe for cooks of all abilities.
• Easily Made in One Pan: We offer a simple variation to make this a one-pan dish, meaning less washing-up and more time to relax and savour your meal.

Ingredients

• 600g sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 350g small pasta shells
• 250ml double cream
• 120ml whole milk
• 80g grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• 60g grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh chives or parsley, chopped, for garnish

How to Make Cajun Steak Bites and Cheesy Garlic Shells

We have laid out this recipe in clear, straightforward stages to ensure you get a fantastic result every time. The trick is to multitask by getting the pasta cooking while you turn your attention to the steak.

1. Prepare and Season the Steak

To begin, let’s prepare the steak. Pat the steak cubes completely dry using a paper towel. This is a vital step because it ensures the meat sears beautifully rather than steams in the pan. Place the dry steak cubes into a bowl and sprinkle over the Cajun seasoning, tossing everything together until each piece is thoroughly coated. Set the bowl aside for a moment to allow the spices to infuse the meat.

2. Cook the Pasta Shells

Bring a large pan of salted water to a vigorous boil. Add the pasta shells and cook them following the directions on the packet until they are al dente, which typically takes around 8-10 minutes. You want them to retain a slight firmness, as they’ll soften a little more once they’re combined with the hot cheese sauce. When the pasta is cooked, drain it, but make sure to reserve about 120ml of the starchy cooking water. This water is a secret weapon for creating an extra creamy and perfectly textured sauce.

3. Sear the Steak to Perfection

As the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based skillet or cast-iron pan over a medium-high heat. It’s important that the pan is nice and hot before the steak goes in. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the steak bites in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in two batches if you need to. Allow the steak to sear for 1-2 minutes on each side without disturbing it. This develops a delicious, deep-brown crust. Once all sides are seared and the steak is cooked to your preference (we suggest medium for the most tender bites), use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a plate and set it aside.

4. Create the Creamy Garlic Sauce

Turn the heat down to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. As it melts, use your spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan—they’re packed with flavour! Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until aromatic, taking care not to let it brown. Next, pour in the double cream and whole milk, stirring them together. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer.

Now, let’s create the rich sauce for our Garlic parmesan shells. Add the grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese bit by bit, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and velvety. Season with the dried parsley, freshly ground black pepper, and salt to taste (remember the Parmesan adds its own saltiness). Let the sauce simmer gently for another minute or so, which will allow it to thicken nicely.

5. Combine and Serve

Tip the drained pasta shells into the skillet with the cheese sauce. Stir well to ensure every shell is generously coated. If the sauce seems a little too thick for your liking, now is the time to add a splash of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency. Finally, return the seared Cajun steak bites to the pan. Give it one last gentle stir to bring everything together. Serve hot, garnished with a scattering of fresh chives or parsley and an extra grating of Parmesan cheese.

Tips for the Perfect Spicy Steak Pasta

We want your spicy steak pasta to be an absolute triumph. Here are a few of our professional pointers to help you take this dish from delicious to truly exceptional.

Choosing Your Steak

While we’ve suggested sirloin for its superb combination of flavour and tenderness, other cuts of beef work very well too. A ribeye will give you incredibly rich and succulent results, whereas rump steak is a more economical choice that still offers a fantastic beefy taste. The main thing is to pick a cut that cooks quickly and remains tender.

Adjusting the Spice Level

The wonderful thing about this dish is how easily it can be adapted. If you favour a gentler flavour, you can simply use less Cajun seasoning. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of serious heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cream sauce for an extra fiery dimension.

Getting the Perfect Sear

A great sear isn’t just about colour; it creates immense flavour through the Maillard reaction. For a deep dive into this cooking method, BBC Good Food provides a fantastic guide on how to sear meat properly. The core principles are simple: ensure your pan is piping hot, give the meat plenty of space, and resist the urge to move it until a proper crust has formed.

What to Serve with Your Cajun Beef Dinner

This dish is certainly a satisfying meal on its own, but a few simple side dishes can round it out perfectly. A crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the sauce. Alternatively, some steamed broccoli or green beans will add a splash of colour and nutrition. And for the ultimate indulgence, a side of warm garlic bread is ideal for soaking up every last drop of that incredible cheese sauce. This will complete your Cajun beef dinner experience beautifully.

Adapting for a One-Pan Steak and Pasta Meal

For anyone who appreciates an efficient kitchen, this recipe can be tweaked to become a brilliant one-pan steak and pasta meal. To do this, you would sear the steak as described, then remove it from the pan. Sauté the garlic in the same pan, then pour in around 700ml of beef or chicken stock and 250ml of milk. Bring this to a boil, add the uncooked pasta shells, and let it cook, stirring now and then, until the pasta is al dente and has soaked up most of the liquid. From there, stir in the cream and cheeses to make the sauce, and finally, add the steak back into the pan. It’s a fantastic shortcut that minimises the washing-up! If you love this style of cooking, we think you’ll also enjoy our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe, which follows a similar, streamlined approach.

FAQ

Conclusion

And there we have it—a meal that feels special enough for a restaurant but is simple enough to make on any weeknight. Our Cajun Steak Bites and Cheesy Garlic Shells recipe truly ticks all the boxes: it’s fast, brimming with flavour, and offers the ultimate in comforting, cheesy satisfaction. We are certain it will become a new firm favourite in your household.

We firmly believe that wonderful food brings people together and can elevate an ordinary evening into something memorable. This recipe is a perfect testament to that belief. So, we encourage you to give it a go this week! We are confident you will love it. Do let us know how you get on in the comments, and please feel free to rate the recipe and share it with others!

Recipe Card

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 600g sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 350g small pasta shells
• 250ml double cream
• 120ml whole milk
• 80g grated Parmesan cheese
• 60g grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh chives or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Pat steak dry and toss with Cajun seasoning.
2. Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 120ml of the starchy pasta water.
3. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak bites for 1-2 minutes per side until a brown crust forms. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium, add butter to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the double cream and milk, bringing to a simmer.
5. Stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella until the sauce is smooth. Season with dried parsley, pepper, and salt.
6. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and stir to coat. Return the steak bites to the pan. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chives or parsley and extra Parmesan.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 1135, Carbs: 69 g, Protein: 69 g, Fat: 65 g