Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Spaghetti

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to make Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Spaghetti for four people.

For the Garlic Butter Steak Bites

• 1 lb (450 g) sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, for garnish

For the Creamy Spaghetti

• 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking)

Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need a fancy setup here just a few basics.

• Large skillet or cast-iron pan
• Large pot for boiling spaghetti
• Medium saucepan (or reuse the skillet after steak if you prefer)
• Tongs or spatula
• Colander
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sharp knife and cutting board

How to Make Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Spaghetti

1. Season the steak

First, pat the steak cubes dry with a paper towel. Then season them all over with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Because a dry surface and simple seasoning help you get that gorgeous sear.

2. Sear the steak bites

Next, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter foams and the pan looks hot and glossy, add the steak bites in a single layer.

Cook in batches if needed. Sear each side for about 1–2 minutes, until browned and cooked to your liking. Then transfer the steak bites to a plate and let them rest.

3. Make the garlic butter

Reduce the heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once it melts, stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.

Then return the steak bites (and any juices) to the skillet. Toss everything together so the steak gets coated in that garlicky butter. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and turn off the heat.

4. Cook the spaghetti

While the steak sears, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, scoop out about 1/4 cup of the pasta water and set it aside. Then drain the spaghetti.

5. Start the creamy sauce

In a separate saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until softened and fragrant but not browned.

6. Make it creamy and cheesy

Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Then stir in the grated Parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce bubble softly for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until it slightly thickens.

7. Toss the spaghetti

Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce along with the reserved 1/4 cup pasta water. Toss until all the strands are glossy and coated in creamy sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or Parmesan if needed.

8. Plate and serve

To serve, twirl a nest of creamy spaghetti onto each plate. Then top generously with garlic butter steak bites and spoon a little extra garlic butter from the pan over the top. Garnish with more parsley and Parmesan if you like, and serve immediately while everything is still sizzling and saucy.

Quick Ingredient Swap Table

Ingredient	Easy Swap	What Changes
Sirloin steak	Ribeye or New York strip	Richer, fattier steak bites with extra flavor
Spaghetti	Fettuccine or linguine	More luxurious, ribbon-like pasta texture
Heavy cream	Half-and-half	Lighter sauce, slightly less rich and thick
Parmesan cheese	Pecorino Romano	Sharper, saltier flavor in the sauce
Smoked paprika	Cajun seasoning	Smoky plus a little heat on the steak

Tips for Perfect Results

• Get the pan really hot
  Let the skillet heat properly before adding the steak. Because a hot pan gives you that deep, caramelized crust without overcooking the inside.
• Don’t crowd the steak
  Cook in batches so each piece gets direct contact with the pan. Otherwise, the steak bites steam instead of sear.
• Salt the pasta water well
  Since the spaghetti soaks up salty water as it cooks, it boosts the flavor of the whole creamy sauce.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan
  Pre-grated cheese can clump. So grating your own helps the sauce stay silky and smooth.

Storage Instructions

If you have leftovers (big if):

• Store: Keep steak and pasta together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days.
• Reheat: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk, cream, or broth to loosen the sauce. Or microwave in short bursts, stirring between each.
• Avoid: Don’t blast on high heat, or the steak can turn tough and the sauce can separate.

FAQ – Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Spaghetti

1. Can I use a different cut of steak for steak bites?

Yes, you can. Sirloin works beautifully, but ribeye, strip steak, or even tenderloin also make amazing steak bites. Just keep the pieces bite-sized and cook them quickly so they stay tender.

2. How do I know when the steak bites are done?

For medium, sear the steak bites for about 1–2 minutes per side. They should be nicely browned outside and still juicy inside. You can cut one in half to check: warm pink center for medium, more cooked through for medium-well.

3. Can I make the creamy spaghetti without heavy cream?

You can. You can swap heavy cream for half-and-half or even a mix of milk and a little cream. The sauce will be slightly lighter and less thick, but still delicious.

4. How do I keep the creamy sauce from getting grainy?

Use low to medium heat and avoid boiling the sauce hard. Add Parmesan gradually and whisk until melted. Using freshly grated cheese also helps the sauce for your creamy spaghetti stay smooth.

5. Can I cook the steak bites in the air fryer?

You can air-fry the seasoned steak bites at around 400°F for a few minutes, shaking halfway. Then you can toss them in melted garlic butter afterward. They won’t have the same pan sauce, but they’ll still taste great.

6. Is this recipe spicy?

No, not really. Smoked paprika adds warmth and smokiness, not real heat. If you want spice, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the steak or the creamy sauce.

Conclusion

If you’ve been craving a full-on “main character energy” dinner, these Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Creamy Spaghetti are ready to step in. You get tender, buttery steak, a cloud of creamy spaghetti, and enough garlic to make your kitchen smell absolutely irresistible.

Make it for date night, for a Friday “we survived the week” celebration, or just because you want steak and pasta in one glorious bowl. And when you do, snap a pic, share it on TikTok or Instagram, and show off those glossy noodles and sizzling steak bites.

Then come back, tell me how you customized it extra cheese, spicier steak, different pasta shape and don’t forget to join the newsletter crew so you never miss the next low-effort, high-wow recipe.