Steak & Blue Cheese Rigatoni Bake Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Assemble the bake: Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- 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.
- 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
