Description
There’s something deeply satisfying about a single pan delivering a complete, flavorful meal—especially on a busy weeknight or a cozy dinner when you want something a little special without hours of prep. This One-Pan Cajun Honey Butter Steak Pasta brings together tender steak bites, smoky-sweet honey, creamy sauce, and a kick of Cajun spice to create a dish that’s comfort-food rich yet lively and memorable. Inspired by Southern heat and the ease of one-pot cooking, this recipe is perfect for family dinners, casual dinner parties, or anytime you want to impress without fuss. In about 35 minutes you’ll have a crowd-pleasing pasta that’s hearty, shareable, and downright addictive.
Why This Recipe Works
- One-pan cooking: Fewer dishes, fewer steps, and more flavor—browning the steak and building the sauce in the same skillet ensures everything tastes cohesive.
- Balanced flavors: The Cajun seasoning brings warmth and smokiness, while honey and butter round out the heat with a pleasing sweetness and silky mouthfeel.
- Speed and versatility: Uses pantry-friendly ingredients and common cuts of steak. Swap pasta shapes, adjust spice levels, or add veggies to suit your family.
- Crowd-pleasing texture: Bite-sized steak pieces, tender pasta, and crisp-tender bell pepper and onion make every forkful interesting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound steak, cut into bite-sized pieces (sirloin, ribeye, or flank work well)
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Steak: Choose a tender cut you enjoy eating. Sirloin gives great flavor at a budget-friendly price; ribeye adds richness.
- Pasta: Use a shape that holds sauce (penne, rigatoni, rotini). If using fresh pasta, reduce the liquid and cooking time.
- Cajun seasoning: Use your favorite jarred blend or a homemade mixture of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium is best so you can control salt. Vegetable broth works for a slightly different flavor profile.
Notes
- Large skillet or heavy-bottomed pan with a lid (12-inch works great)
- Tongs or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes