Description
This Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake combines tender slices of steak with a rich, spicy buffalo cream sauce, sweetened with a touch of honey and balanced with smoked paprika and onion powder. Tossed with cooked pasta and cheeses, then baked to perfection until golden and bubbly, it’s a hearty and flavorful comfort food perfect for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 250 g pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 300 g steak (sirloin or ribeye), thinly sliced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- ½ tsp salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Cheese and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to be added later.
- Cook the Steak: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Season the thinly sliced steak with salt and pepper, then add to the pan. Cook the steak slices until they are browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Remove steak from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Prepare Sauce: In the same pan, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the heavy cream, buffalo sauce, honey, smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir to combine and let it simmer gently for 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add Sour Cream and Cheese: Stir in the sour cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce. Mix well until the cheese starts to melt and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta and the browned steak back into the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and steak are well coated.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the creamy pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake to Finish: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot for a deliciously creamy and spicy meal.
Notes
- Use sirloin or ribeye steak for best flavor and tenderness; other cuts may work but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce and cayenne pepper based on your spice preference.
- For a milder version, reduce the buffalo sauce and skip the cayenne pepper.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; bake briefly to re-melt the cheese.
- If you prefer, use different types of pasta like fusilli or farfalle for variation.
