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Creamy Cowboy Butter Linguine with Steak Bites and Spinach Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 142 reviews

This Creamy Cowboy Butter Linguine with Steak Bites & Spinach is a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender seared steak pieces, fresh spinach, and a luscious creamy butter sauce made with garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it combines the smoky warmth of paprika-seasoned steak with a silky, cheesy sauce that clings to al dente linguine for an indulgent and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz linguine pasta

Steak & Seasoning

  • 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 & Extras

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup beef or vegetable broth
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 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, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. Season steak: Pat steak pieces dry with paper towels and season all over with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
  3. Sear steak bites: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak pieces in a single layer and sear for 1–2 minutes per side until browned and cooked to desired doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Prepare sauce base: Reduce the heat to medium in the same skillet. Melt the unsalted butter, scraping up any browned bits from the steak for added flavor. Add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Add flavorings: Stir in Dijon mustard and fresh lemon juice, whisking them together until well combined with the butter and garlic mixture.
  6. Simmer cream sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and beef or vegetable broth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and slightly thickened.
  7. Toss pasta with sauce and spinach: Add the cooked linguine, fresh spinach, and seared steak bites back into the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients with the creamy sauce, allowing the spinach to wilt evenly.
  8. Adjust sauce consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it and achieve the perfect consistency.
  9. Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

  • Use sirloin or ribeye steak for the best flavor and tenderness.
  • Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce if needed without diluting flavor.
  • Do not overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste at the end if necessary.
  • Fresh spinach can be substituted with baby kale or other leafy greens.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
  • Allow steak to rest briefly before cutting to retain juices if cutting yourself.

Keywords: creamy linguine, cowboy butter, steak bites, spinach pasta, creamy pasta sauce, skillet pasta, garlic butter sauce, Parmesan pasta, quick steak dinner

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