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Creamy Paprika Steak Shells

Creamy Paprika Steak Shells
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Tender steak mingles with pasta shells in a rich, smoky paprika cream sauce. One-skillet wonder ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb steak (sirloin, flank, or ribeye), sliced thin across the grain
  • 8 oz medium shell pasta (or cavatappi, rotini, penne)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • ½ cup beef broth or white wine
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan (or 4 oz cream cheese)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional fresh herbs (parsley or thyme) for garnish

Instructions

  1. Boil salted water and cook medium shell pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining and set shells aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and heat until shimmering. Cook sliced steak for 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and add butter to same skillet. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in smoked paprika, coating the onions and garlic evenly. Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
  5. Pour in beef broth or white wine to deglaze pan, scraping up brown bits. Let bubble for 1 minute.
  6. Add heavy cream and grated Parmesan, stirring constantly until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Toss cooked pasta and seared steak back into skillet, ensuring everything is coated in sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency.
  8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve hot.

Notes

  • Bring steak to room temperature before cooking for even sear and tender results.
  • Cut steak against the grain for maximum tenderness.
  • Keep heat at gentle simmer after adding cream to prevent separation.
  • Reserved pasta water helps bind sauce to pasta with its natural starches.
  • Can substitute chicken, shrimp, or plant-based proteins for steak.

Nutrition

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