Description
Looking for a quick dinner that feels like a restaurant-quality meal? This Cajun Garlic Butter Linguine with Tender Beef Strips hits all the right notes — bold Cajun spices, buttery garlic sauce, and juicy strips of seared beef tossed with tender pasta. It’s the perfect balance of comfort and spice, ready in just 30 minutes. Whether you're planning easy dinner ideas, searching for weeknight meals, or craving something rich and flavorful, this easy recipe is your go-to. It fits perfectly in your list of quick dinners, pasta food ideas, and even indulgent lunch options.
Ingredients
340g linguine
450g beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
1/3 cup heavy cream (optional)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup reserved pasta water (use as needed)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
2. While the pasta cooks, season the beef strips with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef strips for 1–2 minutes per side in batches. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Stir in more Cajun seasoning to deepen the flavor. Add heavy cream if using, and bring to a simmer.
6. Add Parmesan cheese and a splash of pasta water to create a silky sauce.
7. Toss drained linguine into the skillet and mix until coated. Add more pasta water as needed for consistency.
8. Return seared beef to the skillet and toss everything together. Warm through for 1–2 minutes.
9. Garnish with parsley, red pepper flakes, and more Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Make sure to slice beef against the grain to keep it tender.
Always reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
Don’t overcook garlic — sauté just until fragrant, not browned.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: easy dinner, garlic butter pasta, cajun pasta, beef pasta, food ideas