Garlic Butter Steak & Shrimp Pasta (Ultimate Surf & Turf)
This Garlic Butter Steak & Shrimp Pasta is the definition of a “restaurant-quality” meal made right in your own kitchen. It combines succulent, seared steak bites with juicy, buttery shrimp, all tossed in a silky garlic herb pasta. It’s elegant enough for a special occasion but simple enough to pull together on a busy weeknight.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Best of Both Worlds: Why choose between seafood and steak when you can have both?
- One-Pan Flavor: By cooking the steak and shrimp in the same pan, the pasta picks up every bit of that savory, caramelized flavor.
- Quick & Impressive: From start to finish, this meal takes less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
The Proteins
- Steak: 1 lb (450g) Sirloin or Ribeye, cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Shrimp: 1 lb (450g) Large shrimp, peeled and deveined.
- Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
- Oil: 2 tbsp Olive oil.
The Pasta & Sauce
- Pasta: 10 oz (300g) Linguine or Spaghetti.
- Butter: 4 tbsp Unsalted butter.
- Garlic: 5-6 cloves, minced (don’t hold back!).
- Greens: 2 cups fresh Baby Spinach.
- Extras: ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional) and ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped.
- Finish: Red pepper flakes and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, but reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. Sear the Steak
Pat the steak cubes dry with a paper towel. Season generously with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the steak in a single layer. Sear for 2 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust forms. Remove steak from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the Shrimp
In the same skillet, add the remaining oil. Add the shrimp and cook for about 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside with the steak.
4. Create the Garlic Butter Sauce
Lower the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, stirring until the spinach begins to wilt.
5. Toss and Combine
Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet. Toss to coat the strands in the garlic butter. If the pasta seems too dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Fold the steak and shrimp back into the pan just to warm them through.
6. Garnish and Serve
Top with plenty of fresh parsley and a dusting of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips for Success
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If your skillet isn’t large enough, sear the steak in batches. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of searing.
- High Heat is Key: For the steak, you want a quick, hot sear so the middle stays tender while the outside gets crispy.
- Fresh Garlic: Use fresh cloves rather than the jarred version for the most vibrant, buttery flavor.
Nutritional Summary (Per Serving)
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Protein: 42g
- Total Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
