Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake Recipe
Get ready for the ultimate comfort food experience with this Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake. Imagine tender steak, perfectly cooked pasta, a luscious, spicy-sweet buffalo cream sauce, and loads of gooey melted cheese—all baked until irresistibly golden. This pasta bake is the kind of meal that stops everyone in their tracks with each mouthwatering forkful, and it always delivers big flavors with surprisingly little effort. It’s the sort of dish you turn to when you crave a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner with a little fiery twist and a lot of love baked in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The heart of the Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake lies in its simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Every item on this list adds a vital note—whether it’s tenderness, tang, creaminess, or a boost of color—that brings the whole dish together in perfect harmony.
- Penne pasta: Holds the creamy sauce perfectly inside its tubes and maintains a satisfying bite.
- Steak (sirloin or flank, thinly sliced): Packs in bold flavor and is wonderfully tender when seared just right.
- Olive oil: Ensures the steak sears to golden perfection and adds a subtle richness.
- Salt and pepper: Let all the flavors shine by balancing and enhancing every ingredient.
- Butter: Gives the sauce a velvety base that melds all the flavors beautifully.
- Garlic (minced): Infuses the sauce with irresistible aromatic depth—the trusty foundation of any savory bake.
- Honey: Offers a touch of natural sweetness to balance the spicy kick.
- Buffalo sauce: Brings signature heat and tanginess, lending the dish its bold backbone.
- Heavy cream: Adds luscious, creamy body to make each bite ultra-satisfying.
- Sour cream: Provides a hint of tang and extra silkiness for the sauce.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for that classic, stretchy cheese factor.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds sharpness and a gorgeous golden color to the bake.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Packs in a salty umami punch and helps develop that crave-worthy golden top.
- Smoked paprika: Lends a gentle smokiness that rounds out the flavor profile.
- Chopped green onions or parsley: Brightens up the dish both visually and flavor-wise as the final garnish.
How to Make Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pasta
Preheat your oven to 375°F so it’s good and hot by the time you assemble everything. While it’s heating, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your penne pasta until perfectly al dente—just firm enough to hold up during baking. Drain the pasta and set it aside; you want it ready to dive into that luscious sauce later.
Step 2: Sear the Steak
Heat a large skillet over medium-high and swirl in the olive oil. Lay in your thinly sliced steak pieces in a single layer and let each side brown beautifully—about 2 to 3 minutes per side will do the trick. The goal here is a gorgeous sear on the outside while keeping a hint of pink at the center for optimal juiciness. Season generously with salt and pepper, then scoop the steak onto a plate and set it aside, resisting the urge to nibble (for now!)
Step 3: Build the Creamy Honey Buffalo Sauce
Turn the heat down to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Toss in your minced garlic and let it sizzle just until it fills your kitchen with that garlicky aroma—about 1 minute is plenty. Stir in honey, buffalo sauce, heavy cream, sour cream, smoked paprika, and a very light sprinkle of salt. Let the mixture simmer gently for around 3 to 5 minutes, whisking now and then, until the sauce thickens just enough to cling to pasta later.
Step 4: Combine Pasta, Cheeses, and Steak
Add your cooked penne pasta to the creamy honey buffalo sauce and start folding in the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. The cheese should melt smoothly and give you a gorgeous, creamy cascade. Gently stir the steak back into the sauce, making sure every bit is coated. The result is a pan full of irresistible steak pasta, ready for the oven!
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Pour the creamy, cheesy pasta and steak mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, add a sprinkle of extra cheese on top. Pop it into your preheated oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Watch for the top to get bubbly and golden with little cheesy islands forming. Your Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake is almost ready for its big reveal!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once your pasta bake is bubbling and beautifully golden, pull it out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes (if you can wait). Scatter chopped green onions or fresh parsley across the top just before serving—it adds a lovely fresh pop and makes everything look extra vibrant.
How to Serve Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake
Garnishes
A generous billow of chopped green onions or a shower of fresh parsley is absolutely perfect, but don’t stop there! If you want to go bolder, crumble a little blue cheese over the top for an added zing, or add sliced fresh jalapeños for serious heat-lovers. This finishing flourish not only brightens the plate but gives your Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake that impressive, homemade touch.
Side Dishes
With such big, satisfying flavors, pair your Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake with sides that offer a little contrast. Think crisp, cooled celery sticks or a bright green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Warm, crusty bread on the side is always a fabulous choice for scooping up any extra sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving a crowd or hosting a casual game day gathering, bake the pasta in smaller individual ramekins for a fun, personalized touch. Or spoon generous portions into shallow bowls and add colorful toppers like extra herbs, a drizzle of buffalo sauce, or even a dollop of extra sour cream. However you plate it, this pasta bake guarantees center-stage status at the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake are a glorious thing! Once cooled, transfer any extras to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and deepen overnight, sometimes making day-two portions even more irresistible.
Freezing
To freeze, let the bake cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. You can store it for up to 2 months. Just be sure to wrap tightly to keep out any freezer burn and preserve that creamy texture.
Reheating
Reheat individual servings in the microwave with a splash of cream or milk, or warm the whole bake in a covered dish at 350°F until heated through. If it looks a bit thick, simply stir in a little extra cream or a drizzle of buffalo sauce before serving to bring it back to its original creamy goodness.
FAQs
What’s the best cut of steak to use for this pasta bake?
Sirloin and flank steak are excellent choices thanks to their tenderness and rich beefy flavor, especially when sliced thin and seared quickly. However, feel free to use your favorite cut or try ribeye for a little extra decadence.
How spicy does the Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake get?
The spice level depends on your buffalo sauce and how much you use. The cream and honey in the recipe mellow out the heat, but if you’re sensitive to spice, start with less buffalo sauce and add more to taste. For spicy-food lovers, a dash of hot sauce or extra buffalo sauce on top makes it fiery!
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While penne holds the sauce beautifully, rotini, rigatoni, or even fusilli are great alternatives that trap all that creamy, cheesy sauce in their twists and tubes.
Can I make Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake ahead of time?
You sure can. Assemble the bake up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then bake as instructed until bubbly and golden.
What if I don’t eat beef? Can I swap the steak?
No problem! Sliced cooked chicken, pulled rotisserie chicken, or even roasted veggies work as a fantastic substitute, keeping things just as delicious and satisfying.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a hearty, flavor-packed meal that satisfies cravings and brings everyone running to the table, you truly can’t go wrong with Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake. It’s a dish that’s bold, a little saucy, and always delivers pure comfort—give it a try and make it your own family favorite tonight!
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Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors of this Creamy Honey Buffalo Steak Pasta Bake. Tender steak slices mingle with pasta in a luscious blend of honey, buffalo sauce, and cheeses, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
Steak:
- 1 pound steak (such as sirloin or flank, thinly sliced)
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven and cook pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta until al dente, then set aside.
- Sear steak: In a skillet, sear steak slices in olive oil until browned. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from pan.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, add garlic, honey, buffalo sauce, heavy cream, sour cream, paprika, and salt. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Combine ingredients: Add cooked pasta to the sauce, fold in cheeses until melted, then stir in the steak.
- Bake: Transfer mixture to a baking dish, top with extra cheese if desired, and bake until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with green onions or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Adjust buffalo sauce to taste
- Try adding blue cheese crumbles for extra flavor
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
