Description

Cowboy Butter Linguine with Steak Bites & Spinach is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender seared steak pieces tossed in a creamy, garlicky butter sauce with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. This skillet-cooked recipe combines smoky paprika-seasoned steak with a luscious Dijon-mustard infused sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz linguine pasta

Steak & Seasoning

1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tsp smoked paprika

Sauce & Vegetables

2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup beef or vegetable broth
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

Cook Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
Prepare Steak: Pat the bite-sized steak pieces dry with paper towels. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika for a smoky flavor base.
Sear Steak Bites: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place steak pieces in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until nicely browned. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
Make Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Melt the butter, scraping up any flavorful browned bits left from the steak. Add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Add Flavorings: Stir in Dijon mustard and fresh lemon juice, whisking everything together until combined for a tangy and creamy base.
Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer over low-medium heat for 2–3 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine Pasta and Steak: Add the cooked linguine, fresh spinach, and seared steak bites back into the skillet. Toss everything well to coat evenly in the creamy sauce and to wilt the spinach.
Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce feels too thick, add small splashes of the reserved pasta water until you reach a desired creamy consistency that coats the pasta nicely.
Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese for garnish. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Use a high-quality Parmesan cheese for best flavor and creaminess.
Reserve pasta water carefully as its starch helps smooth out and thicken the sauce.
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking garlic.
Ensure steak pieces are dry before searing to get a good crust.
This dish is best served fresh and should not be reheated multiple times as the sauce can separate.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cowboy butter linguine, steak bites pasta, creamy garlic pasta, spinach linguine, skillet pasta recipe, quick steak pasta