Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta Recipe

Cooking has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up, the kitchen was the hub of our family gatherings, where everyone shared their stories over delicious meals. One dish that always made an appearance was a rich and flavorful pasta adorned with perfectly cooked steak. That memory inspired my fascination with creating vibrant meals that celebrate the beauty of simple ingredients, such as in this Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta.

This recipe showcases the perfect blend of tender ribeye steak and hearty pasta, all enveloped in a luscious cowboy butter sauce. Cooking the steak to perfection yields a juicy cut that pairs beautifully with rigatoni or penne. The cowboy butter provides a burst of flavor that elevates the entire dish. Every bite brings back fond memories of family nights, laughter, and love.

Embracing the warmth of home-cooked meals, this Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta will surely become a go-to recipe in your kitchen. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of flavors and create a dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta: The Basics

Fundamentals

The heart of Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta lies in quality ingredients and simple techniques. Start with a well-marbled ribeye steak; its rich flavor enhances your dish and provides that satisfying bite. Choose a pasta shape that can hold onto the buttery sauce, like rigatoni or penne.

The star of this recipe is the cowboy butter, a combination of softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, chopped parsley, chili flakes, and smoked paprika. This buttery blend brings a delightful creaminess and depth of flavor to the dish.

Preparation/Setup

Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients. The preparation of Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta is straightforward yet immensely gratifying. The first step involves heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. This allows for the perfect sear on our ribeye steak, creating that irresistible crust that locks in the juices.

While heating the skillet, bring a pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the pasta. Timing your pasta with the precise cooking of the steak ensures that everything comes together seamlessly.

Ingredients

To make Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless ribeye steak, well-marbled
• 12 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Additional salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. In a bowl, mix softened unsalted butter with minced garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, chopped parsley, chili flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create cowboy butter. Set aside.
3. Add olive oil to the hot skillet. Season the ribeye steak with salt and pepper, then sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until a crust forms.
4. Remove the steak, let it rest for a few minutes, and slice it thinly.
5. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the rest.
6. In the same skillet, melt the cowboy butter over medium heat. Toss in the drained pasta to coat thoroughly in the butter.
7. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
8. Gently fold in the sliced steak, warming everything together for about a minute to meld the flavors.
9. Garnish with extra chopped parsley or chili flakes if desired. Serve hot.

Elevating Your Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta

Technique

Perfecting your Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta revolves around mastering the searing process for the ribeye. Achieving a beautiful crust requires proper skillet temperature and ensuring the steak remains undisturbed during cooking.

Pat the steak dry before seasoning. This crucial step removes excess moisture and allows for a better sear. After cooking, let the steak rest—this helps retain its juices, resulting in a more flavorful bite.

When it comes to the cowboy butter, mixing the ingredients into a homogenous blend ensures every bite is equally flavorful. The balance of garlic, lemon, and spice should come together beautifully, creating a well-rounded sauce.

Tips/Tricks

A few tips can enhance your Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta experience. First, be generous with your seasoning. Ribeye needs ample salt and pepper for the best flavor.

Keep an eye on the pasta cooking time. It should be just al dente as it will continue to cook once mixed in with the cowboy butter. Don’t forget to save some cooking water; it’s the key to adjusting the sauce’s consistency.

Experiment with the spice levels, adjusting chili flakes to suit your taste preference.

Perfecting the Results

Perfecting Results

Creating the ultimate Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta requires attention to detail. The goal is to have the steak perfectly seared and the pasta beautifully coated in the buttery sauce. Under or overcooking either component can impact the overall flavor.

You can experiment with the amount of cowboy butter based on your preference for richness. Adding more butter may intensify the flavor experience, making each bite more decadent.

Troubleshooting/Variations

Troubles are minimal with this satisfying dish, but knowing how to remedy potential issues can elevate your cooking game. If your sauce appears too oily, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to bind it with the noodles better.

For a cheesier variation, consider mixing in grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano just before serving. This addition layers more flavor and creaminess into your meal.

If you prefer a different protein, consider grilled chicken or shrimp. Both options can work beautifully with the cowboy butter sauce and pasta.

Serving and Storing Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta

Serving/Presentation

Presentation enhances the dining experience. Serve your Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta in a large, shallow bowl or plate. Drizzling some extra melted cowboy butter on top just before serving adds an inviting touch.

Add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color. Garnishing with a few extra chili flakes brings a vibrant visual and hints at the spices inside.

Pairings/Storage

For an excellent side dish, serve a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some garlic bread to soak up the extra cowboy butter.

Storing leftovers should be done in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain good for 2 to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of reserved pasta water to revive the creamy sauce consistency.

Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta combines the comfort of pasta with the robust flavors of a perfectly seared steak. This culinary creation will surely bring joy to your dining table. Enjoy each bite as it carries the warmth of tradition and the delight of homecooked meals.

Cowboy Butter Steak Pasta

---

• Author: emma
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Carnivore

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

A rich and flavorful pasta dish with tender ribeye steak and a luscious cowboy butter sauce.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound boneless ribeye steak, well-marbled
• 12 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Additional salt and pepper, to taste

---

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. In a bowl, mix the softened unsalted butter with minced garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, chopped parsley, chili flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create cowboy butter. Set aside.
3. Add olive oil to the hot skillet. Season the ribeye steak with salt and pepper, then sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until a crust forms.
4. Remove the steak, let it rest for a few minutes, and slice it thinly.
5. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the rest.
6. In the same skillet, melt the cowboy butter over medium heat. Toss in the drained pasta to coat thoroughly in the butter.
7. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
8. Gently fold in the sliced steak, warming everything together for about a minute to meld the flavors.
9. Garnish with extra chopped parsley or chili flakes and serve hot.

Notes

For a cheesier variation, mix in grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano just before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Searing and Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 650mg
• Fat: 42g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: pasta, steak, cowboy butter, comfort food, one-pot meal