Description
Creamy Smoked Paprika Steak Shells is a decadent, restaurant-quality dish that can be made in under 30 minutes. It features tender, juicy steak bites and shell pasta smothered in a rich, smoky Parmesan cream sauce that delivers pure comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
Steak and Pasta
- 1 lb steak (sirloin or ribeye), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz shell pasta
Seasonings and Sauce
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika (divided)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta Prep: Boil the shell pasta in salted water according to the package directions until perfectly tender. Drain well and set aside.
- Season & Sear: Toss the steak pieces with salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak bites for 2–3 minutes per side until beautifully browned yet juicy inside. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- The Flavor Base: Lower the skillet heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pan. Sauté the minced garlic for about one minute until fragrant, then stir in the remaining ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
- Build the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and beef broth, scraping up all the savory browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the sauce to bubble and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Make it Cheesy: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, continuing to stir until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and silky.
- Toss & Serve: Add the cooked pasta shells and seared steak bites back to the skillet. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated in the rich, smoky cream sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Use sirloin or ribeye steak for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Be careful not to overcook the steak; it should be browned but remain juicy inside.
- Make sure to reserve the pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce, though this recipe doesn’t call for it explicitly.
- Fresh parsley adds color and a bright contrast to the creamy sauce.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
