Steak & Blue Cheese Rigatoni Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Steak & Blue Cheese Rigatoni Bake is a rich and comforting dish perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner. Tender steak pieces combined with a creamy blue cheese sauce and gooey melted mozzarella make it a crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
• 1 lb steak (cut into bite-sized pieces, sirloin or ribeye recommended)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 1 medium bell pepper (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 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

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: 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 steak from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: 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.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate browned bits. Stir in blue cheese, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook gently until the cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Return the steak to the skillet with the sauce, then add the cooked rigatoni. Stir gently to coat the pasta and steak evenly with the sauce.
6. Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
8. Step 8: Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder flavor, substitute goat cheese or cream cheese for the blue cheese.
• Use ribeye for a richer taste or sirloin for a leaner option.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle heat.
• Vegetarians can omit the steak and add sautéed mushrooms for a similar texture.
• Freshly cracked black pepper enhances the overall flavor—add extra to taste.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute rigatoni with penne, ziti, or any sturdy pasta that holds sauce well.

How do I prevent the steak from overcooking?

Since the steak cooks further in the oven, sear it just until browned but still pink inside before combining with the sauce and pasta.

Steak & Blue Cheese Rigatoni Bake Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 58 reviews

This Steak & Blue Cheese Rigatoni Bake is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender seared steak pieces, creamy blue cheese sauce, and melted mozzarella baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it combines the bold flavors of blue cheese with the satisfying texture of rigatoni and fresh vegetables.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta

Protein & Vegetables

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

Sauce & Seasonings

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Topping

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Cook the rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rigatoni pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Sear the steak: Heat 2 tbsp 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 the steak from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
4. Prepare the blue cheese sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate the browned bits from the steak. Stir in 1 cup crumbled blue cheese, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper. Cook gently until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Combine steak and pasta with sauce: Return the seared steak to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked rigatoni and stir gently to coat the pasta and steak evenly with the creamy blue cheese sauce.
6. Assemble the bake: Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
7. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rigatoni bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
8. Garnish and serve: Remove the baked pasta from the oven and sprinkle with 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley for freshness and color. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

• Use sirloin or ribeye steak for best flavor and tenderness.
• Be careful not to overcook the steak in the pan since it will finish cooking in the oven.
• Feel free to substitute blue cheese with gorgonzola or another creamy blue cheese variant.
• For a milder version, reduce the amount of blue cheese or use half blue cheese and half cream cheese.
• Make sure to grease the baking dish well to prevent sticking.
• This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables on the side.

Keywords: steak rigatoni bake, blue cheese pasta bake, baked rigatoni with steak, creamy blue cheese rigatoni, comfort food pasta