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Creamy Cowboy Butter Linguine with Steak Bites & Spinach Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 72 reviews

This Creamy Cowboy Butter Linguine with Steak Bites & Spinach is a flavorful and indulgent pasta dish featuring tender seared steak pieces, fresh spinach, and a rich, creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it combines savory steak bites with luscious linguine and a hint of lemon for brightness.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz linguine pasta

Steak

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

Sauce

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup beef or vegetable broth
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Additional Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water, and set aside for later use.
  2. Prepare Steak: Pat the steak pieces dry with paper towels. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika for that deep, smoky flavor.
  3. Sear Steak Bites: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned steak bites in a single layer and sear for 1–2 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Make the Sauce Base: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter, melting it while scraping the browned bits from the pan for extra flavor. Add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Flavor the Sauce: Stir in the Dijon mustard and fresh lemon juice, whisking until well combined to add tang and depth.
  6. Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and beef or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 2–3 minutes, then add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and slightly thickened.
  7. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked linguine, fresh spinach, and the seared steak bites back into the skillet. Toss everything well to coat the pasta and steak in the creamy sauce, allowing the spinach to wilt evenly.
  8. Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water a splash at a time until you achieve your desired consistency.
  9. Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese over the top for garnish. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use good quality steak such as sirloin or ribeye for tender and flavorful bites.
  • Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce as needed without diluting flavor.
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end if necessary.
  • The dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture and juicy steak.
  • For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a less rich sauce.
  • Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or arugula for variation.

Keywords: creamy linguine, steak bites, spinach pasta, cowboy butter sauce, easy dinner recipe, creamy pasta with steak

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/creamy-cowboy-butter-linguine-with-steak-bites-and-spinach-recipe/