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One-Skillet Creamy Spicy Cajun Steak Pasta

★★★★★ 4.9 (45 Kitchen Reviews)

3. Step-by-Step Visual Guide

In Part 3 of making One-Skillet Creamy Spicy Cajun Steak Pasta, let’s walk through the hands-on cooking technique so your texture turns out restaurant-worthy at home.

One-Skillet Creamy Spicy Cajun Steak Pasta — Step-by-Step Visual Guide (Page 3)
Step-by-Step Kitchen Technique: Cooking One-Skillet Creamy Spicy Cajun Steak Pasta · @recipestokitchen
📌 Pin Recipe

Visual Cues & Timing Secrets

First, get your pasta going and prep all your ingredients—this moves fast once you start cooking. Slice the steak against the grain and toss it with Cajun seasoning; don’t skip this step, it’s what makes every bite flavorful. Sear the steak in a hot skillet with olive oil, but don’t overcrowd the pan—you want a nice brown crust, not steamed meat.

After you remove the steak, the same skillet does double duty. Sauté the onion, pepper, and garlic, then pour in the cream and broth. Let it bubble and thicken, then stir in the Parmesan until it’s smooth and glossy. Finally, add the steak and pasta back, toss everything together, and you’ll see the sauce coat every noodle perfectly.

Head to Page 4 for my Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Tips plus what to serve alongside this dish!

One-Skillet Creamy Spicy Cajun Steak Pasta
👩🍳 RECIPESTO KITCHEN · OFFICIAL TESTED RECIPE CARD

One-Skillet Creamy Spicy Cajun Steak Pasta

This one-skillet creamy Cajun steak pasta brings the heat with a rich, velvety sauce that clings to every noodle and tender strip of seared steak. It's a hearty, family-friendly dinner that tastes like a restaurant favorite but comes together in one pan.

📌 Pin Recipe to Board★★★★★ 4.9 from Kitchen Testers
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time40 mins
Servings4 servings
CourseMain Course
Calories620 kcal

🛒 Ingredients (Check Off As You Measure)

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
  2. Toss steak slices with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning and a pinch of salt. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; sear steak in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove steak and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil, onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in remaining Cajun seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth; bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Return steak and any juices to the skillet, add cooked pasta, and toss everything together. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.

👩🍳 Chef Elena’s Kitchen Notes & Storage

Use a heavy skillet like cast iron to get a great sear on the steak without overcooking it. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, but the sauce thickens as it sits—add a splash of milk when reheating to bring it back to life.

Pinterest Kitchen Tip: Save this recipe to your @recipestokitchen board so you can pull up the ingredient checklist at the grocery store!

Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 620 kcalProtein: 35gCarbs: 45gFat: 32gFiber: 3g
Chef Elena Rossi
Recipe Developed & Tested By

Chef Elena Rossi

Ciao, I'm Elena! Trained in Florence and based in Chicago, I founded RecipesTo Kitchen (and our @recipestokitchen Pinterest community of 296,580+ monthly home cooks) to share foolproof weeknight dinners, cozy one-pot pastas, and bakery-style desserts that work on the very first try.