Description

A rich and comforting Steak & Blue Cheese Rigatoni Bake featuring tender seared steak, creamy blue cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta, topped with mozzarella cheese and baked to golden perfection. This hearty casserole combines bold flavors with a creamy texture, ideal for a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz rigatoni pasta

Meat & Vegetables

1 lb steak (sirloin or ribeye, cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 medium onion (diced)
1 medium bell pepper (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)

Sauce & Cheese

2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup blue cheese (crumbled)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente, usually 10-12 minutes as per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Sear Steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak pieces and sear until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Prepare Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate browned bits. Stir in blue cheese, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook gently until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly.
Combine Steak and Pasta: Return steak to skillet with sauce, then add cooked rigatoni. Stir gently to coat pasta and steak evenly with the creamy blue cheese sauce.
Assemble Bake: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rigatoni bake for 15-20 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted and golden brown.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

Use sirloin or ribeye for the best flavor and tenderness.
Do not overcook the steak during searing; it will finish cooking in the sauce and oven.
Adjust seasoning according to your taste, especially salt as blue cheese can be salty.
For extra creaminess, ensure heavy cream is full fat.
You can substitute rigatoni with other sturdy pasta like penne or ziti.
If desired, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a mild heat.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Steak Rigatoni Bake, Blue Cheese Pasta, Creamy Pasta Bake, Comfort Food, Baked Pasta, Steak Dinner