Oh my goodness, friends! Let me tell you about this match made in heaven that’s about to revolutionise your dinner game. These juicy, garlic butter steak bites paired with pasta twists coated in the most addictive spicy honey butter Alfredo sauce… I’m telling you, this dish makes me weak in the knees! It’s that perfect combination of indulgent comfort food with a touch of elegance that’ll have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen (when really, it comes together in a flash!).
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-worthy flavor in minutes – Those perfectly seared steak bites with their garlic butter bath will make you feel like you’re dining at a fancy steakhouse!
- Sweet heat magic – The combination of spicy honey butter with creamy alfredo creates this incredible sauce that’s downright drinkable (not that I’ve tried… okay, maybe I have).
- Impressive yet easy – This looks like you spent all day cooking, but it’s actually simple enough for busy weeknights when you need something special.
- Customizable heat level – You can dial the spice up or down to suit your taste buds without losing any of that honey-butter magic.
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites:
- Sirloin steak – Cut into bite-sized cubes for quick cooking and maximum tenderness.
- Butter – The foundation of our flavor explosion!
- Garlic – Fresh is best here; it creates that intoxicating aroma that makes everyone drift into the kitchen.
- Olive oil – Helps achieve that perfect sear without burning the butter.
- Salt and black pepper – Simple seasonings that let the steak’s natural flavor shine.
- Fresh rosemary – That woodsy, aromatic finish that elevates everything.
For the Spicy Honey Butter Alfredo Twists:
- Pasta twists – Cavatappi, fusilli, or rotini all work beautifully; those spirals catch all that heavenly sauce!
- Butter – Yes, more butter. Trust me on this one.
- Heavy cream – Creates that silky-smooth alfredo base.
- Parmesan cheese – The real deal, freshly grated for ultimate meltability.
- Honey – Adds unexpected sweetness that pairs magically with the steak.
- Red pepper flakes – For that gentle heat that keeps you coming back for more.
- Garlic powder – A subtle backup dancer to the fresh garlic in the steak.
- Salt and black pepper – Seasoning is everything, folks!
- Fresh parsley – For a pop of color and fresh flavor.
The full ingredient list with measurements will be available in the recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
For the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. This is your chance to season that pasta from the inside out!
- Add your pasta twists and cook until just al dente according to package directions. Those spirals should have a little bite to them still.
- Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of that starchy pasta water (it’s liquid gold for our sauce).
- Drain pasta but don’t rinse it – we want that starch to help our sauce cling to every twist and turn.
For the Spicy Honey Butter Alfredo Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it gets slightly foamy.
- Add the honey and whisk until it’s completely incorporated into the butter. Your kitchen will smell divine at this point!
- Sprinkle in those red pepper flakes and let them infuse the honey butter for about 30 seconds – this releases all their spicy goodness.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly as it bubbles and begins to thicken.
- Lower the heat and gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan, stirring until you’ve got a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of that reserved pasta water to achieve dreamy, silky perfection.
For the Garlic Butter Steak Bites:
- Pat your steak cubes completely dry with paper towels – this is the secret to getting that gorgeous sear!
- Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over high heat until it’s nearly smoking.
- Add the steak bites in a single layer, giving them plenty of space (work in batches if needed). Let them sear undisturbed for about 45 seconds before flipping.
- Once all sides are beautifully browned (about 2-3 minutes total for medium-rare), reduce heat to medium.
- Add butter and smashed garlic cloves to the pan, then toss the steak in this heavenly garlic butter bath for another 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle with fresh rosemary in the final seconds of cooking.
- Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking – these little bites will continue cooking slightly even after they’re off the heat.
Bringing It All Together:
- Gently toss your cooked pasta twists in the spicy honey butter alfredo sauce.
- Transfer to a serving dish and top with those juicy garlic butter steak bites.
- Sprinkle with extra red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and maybe a little more freshly grated Parmesan if you’re feeling extra indulgent (and why wouldn’t you be?).
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room temperature steak is your friend – Take the steak out of the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the steak bites – giving them space ensures you get that perfect sear instead of steaming them.
- Under-cook your pasta slightly (1 minute less than package directions) since it will continue cooking briefly when tossed with the hot sauce.
- Keep that pasta water! The starchy liquid is perfect for adjusting the consistency of your sauce if it gets too thick.
- Balance is key with the honey and red pepper flakes – start with less and add more to find your perfect sweet-heat ratio.
How to Serve
This showstopper deserves to be the star of the table! Serve it family-style on a large platter with the steak bites artfully arranged over the saucy pasta twists. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette makes the perfect accompaniment to balance the richness.
For wine lovers, this pairs beautifully with a bold red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec that can stand up to both the steak and the creamy sauce. If you prefer white, a buttery Chardonnay complements the creamy alfredo wonderfully.
For a complete dinner party menu, start with a light appetizer like bruschetta or a simple antipasto platter, then finish with a not-too-sweet dessert like berries and whipped mascarpone.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead Options:
You can prep components separately up to a day ahead:
- Cut and season the steak (keep refrigerated)
- Make the alfredo sauce and refrigerate (you’ll need to warm it gently and may need to add a splash of cream when reheating)
- Cook the pasta, toss with a tiny bit of olive oil, and refrigerate
Storage:
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I recommend storing the steak bites separately from the pasta for best results.
- Freezing: This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but if needed, the steak bites can be frozen separately for up to 1 month. The pasta with sauce doesn’t freeze well due to the cream-based sauce.
Reheating:
- Pasta: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to revive the sauce.
- Steak Bites: Warm quickly in a hot skillet just until heated through – about 1 minute. Overheating will make them tough.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of steak for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin gives you that perfect balance of tenderness and flavor without breaking the bank, you could also use ribeye for something more indulgent or strip steak for fantastic flavor. Just avoid lean cuts like filet which can dry out quickly when cut into small pieces. Whatever cut you choose, remember that those bite-sized pieces cook incredibly fast, so keep a close eye on them!
My alfredo sauce always breaks or gets grainy. Help!
The secret to smooth alfredo is gentle heat and constant stirring! If your sauce is breaking, it’s likely getting too hot. Remove it from the heat immediately and whisk vigorously. For grainy sauce, your cheese might be getting too hot too fast – make sure to take the pan off the heat before adding the Parmesan and add it gradually while stirring. Using freshly grated cheese (never pre-shredded, which contains anti-caking agents) also makes a world of difference.
Can I make this recipe less spicy but still keep the honey element?
You sure can! The beauty of this recipe is how customizable it is. For a milder version that still has that gorgeous honey butter flavor, simply reduce the red pepper flakes to a tiny pinch or omit them entirely. The honey butter alfredo will still taste incredible with the steak bites, giving you that sweet-savory combination without the heat. You could also add a dash of smoked paprika for depth without spiciness.
What can I substitute for heavy cream to make this lighter?
While nothing quite matches the silky richness of heavy cream in alfredo, you can use half-and-half for a lighter version. For an even lighter option, try evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed!) which gives creaminess with less fat. Just be aware that thinner substitutes may require a little more reducing time or even a sprinkle of parmesan to reach that perfect alfredo consistency. Whatever you use, avoid milk lower than 2% fat, as it simply won’t create that luxurious sauce texture we’re after.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Spicy Honey Alfredo
Equipment
- Large pot
- Skillet
- Tongs
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites
- 1 lb sirloin steak cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tbsp butter for steak
- 3 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary chopped
For the Spicy Honey Alfredo Pasta
- 8 oz pasta twists such as cavatappi, fusilli, or rotini
- 2 tbsp butter for sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain (do not rinse).
- In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add honey and whisk until combined. Stir in red pepper flakes to infuse.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly. Lower the heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Season sauce with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add a bit of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Pat steak bites dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a hot skillet. Sear steak bites for about 45 seconds per side until browned.
- Reduce heat and add 2 tbsp butter and smashed garlic. Toss steak bites for 30 seconds. Sprinkle with rosemary and remove from heat.
- Toss cooked pasta in the spicy honey Alfredo sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve pasta topped with steak bites. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.