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Creamy Cowboy Butter Linguine with Steak Bites & Spinach

Creamy Cowboy Butter Linguine with Steak Bites & Spinach
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Creamy Cowboy Butter Linguine with Steak Bites & Spinach is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish combining tender steak bites, fresh spinach, and linguine tossed in a rich, creamy cowboy butter sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe balances indulgence with nutrition, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Steak Bites

  • 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Pasta

  • 8 oz linguine pasta
  • Salt, for pasta water

Cowboy Butter Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter (cowboy butter blend of garlic, paprika, thyme, and lemon zest recommended)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Vegetables

  • 3 cups fresh spinach

Seasonings & Garnishes

  • Freshly cracked black pepper, for garnish
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish
  • Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Steak Bites: Pat the steak pieces dry and season them evenly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak bites and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove from the skillet and set aside to rest.
  2. Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce later if needed.
  3. Whip Up the Cowboy Butter Sauce: Using the same skillet, melt the cowboy butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer gently, stirring frequently to thicken the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  4. Toss in Spinach and Linguine: Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook just until wilted. Then, toss in the cooked linguine, mixing thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy cowboy butter sauce.
  5. Combine Steak and Serve: Return the steak bites to the skillet and fold them into the linguine and spinach mixture. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve immediately garnished with cracked black pepper, chopped parsley, and extra Parmesan.

Notes

  • Let the steak rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for more even searing.
  • Cook linguine to al dente to maintain texture when mixed with sauce.
  • Use fresh spinach and freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor impact.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
  • Make your own cowboy butter by blending butter with garlic, paprika, thyme, and lemon zest for added zing.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; stir well when reheating.
  • For freezing, omit spinach initially and add fresh when reheating; keep steak and pasta separate for best quality.
  • Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave with a splash of cream or water to restore sauce consistency and avoid drying the steak.

Nutrition

Keywords: linguine, steak bites, cowboy butter, creamy pasta, spinach, quick dinner, weeknight meal

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