Ohhh yes 😮🔥 Creamy Paprika Steak Shells—rich, smoky, buttery steak with tender pasta shells in a silky sauce. This is comfort food with attitude. Let’s cook.
🍝 Creamy Paprika Steak Shells
Ingredients (serves 2–3)
For the steak:
- 1 lb steak (sirloin, ribeye, or flank), sliced thin
- Salt & black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For the pasta:
- 8 oz pasta shells
- Salt (for pasta water)
For the creamy paprika sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp regular paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes or fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
- Boil shells in salted water until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Cook the steak
- Season steak with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat skillet over high heat with olive oil.
- Sear steak quickly (1–2 minutes per side).
- Add butter, toss to coat, remove steak, and set aside.
3. Make the sauce
- Lower heat to medium.
- Add butter and garlic to same pan; sauté 30 seconds.
- Stir in smoked paprika, paprika, and onion powder.
- Pour in beef broth and scrape up the browned bits.
- Add cream and simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thick.
- Stir in Parmesan until smooth.
4. Combine
- Add pasta shells to sauce.
- Add steak back in.
- Toss gently, adding pasta water as needed for silkiness.
5. Serve
- Finish with black pepper, parsley, or chili flakes.
- Serve hot and unapologetically creamy.
🔥 Pro Tips
- Slice steak against the grain for tenderness.
- Smoked paprika is key—don’t skip it.
- Want deeper flavor? Add a splash of Worcestershire or Dijon.
✨ Optional upgrades:
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
- Swap cream for half-and-half for lighter version.
- Finish with a knob of butter for extra gloss.
If you want, I can turn this into a one-pan version, a spicy Cajun twist, or a TikTok-style viral recipe next 😏
