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Juicy marinated steak ready for grilling, showcasing perfect marinade flavor.

Cowboy Butter Steak & Broccoli Linguine

A comforting weeknight dish featuring tender steak, broccoli, and linguine tossed in a rich butter sauce with a hint of lemon.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Steak
  • 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Sauce
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter Unsalted helps control the salt.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic gives bigger flavor.
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped For a bright finish.
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta and Broccoli
  • 12 oz linguine
  • 3 cups broccoli florets Use fresh for best flavor.
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water Reserve before draining.
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add linguine and cook per package until al dente.
  2. Three minutes before the pasta finishes, add the broccoli florets to steam-tender. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside.
  3. Toss steak cubes with smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add steak in a single layer. Let it sizzle and brown for 2–3 minutes per side until golden edges form and the interior reaches your desired doneness. Remove steak and set aside.
Cooking
  1. Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet.
  2. Add minced garlic and sauté about 1 minute until fragrant—watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
  3. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Add parsley and chives, then season with salt and black pepper; the sauce will smell bright and buttery.
  4. Add cooked linguine and broccoli to the skillet. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce reaches a silky creaminess.
  5. Return steak to the pan and stir in Parmesan until the sauce coats everything evenly and glistens. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Finally, plate and top with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, or a pinch of chili flakes. Serve with crusty bread or a simple salad.

Notes

For extra searing tips, refer to my pan-seared steak with garlic butter method. You can also prep steak and cook pasta earlier to preserve texture.