You know that moment when dinner hits the table and everyone just melts into their chairs? That’s exactly what happened the first time I made these Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Sauce.
I’d had one of those days laundry in piles, school pick-up running late, and no idea what to make for dinner. But I had a few steaks in the fridge, some potatoes I’d been meaning to use, and the memory of my grandma’s creamy garlic sauce that always made us feel loved. So I started cooking, and before I knew it, this recipe was born.
Now it’s our Sunday staple. And I promise you every bite tastes like a hug. The garlic butter is rich and savory, the parmesan cream sauce is velvety and full of flavor, and the cheesy mashed potatoes underneath? Pure comfort food magic.
Let me show you how I make it, step by step.
Why This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe Will Become Your Family’s Favorite
- It’s quick enough for weeknights, but fancy enough for date night.
- Uses simple, real ingredients no fancy stuff.
- Feels like a restaurant meal, but made with love in your own kitchen.
- Kids love it. Husbands love it. You’ll love it.
Whether you’re cooking for a cozy dinner or impressing guests, this one’s a total showstopper.
The Ingredients That Make This Recipe Shine
For the steak:
- ▢ 2 lbs steak (filet, ribeye, or sirloin – I usually go for sirloin because it’s budget-friendly but still tender)
- ▢ 4-5 tbsp avocado oil (higher smoke point means better sear)
For the garlic butter:
- ▢ 5 tbsp butter, divided
- ▢ 10 cloves garlic, minced (yes, 10 you’ll thank me)
Parmesan cream sauce:
- ▢ 1.5 cups heavy cream
- ▢ 2 green onions, diced (both white and green parts)
- ▢ 1 tsp red pepper flakes (use less if you want it mild)
- ▢ 2/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
Cheesy mashed potatoes:
- ▢ 4 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
- ▢ 1 cup half and half, warmed
- ▢ 6 tbsp salted butter, melted
- ▢ 3/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese (mozzarella or pepper jack works too)
- ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
- ▢ 3/4 tsp salt
- ▢ 1/2 tsp pepper, or to taste
Homemade blackened seasoning (so much better than store-bought!):
- ▢ 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- ▢ 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- ▢ 1 tbsp onion powder
- ▢ 2 tsp garlic powder
- ▢ 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ▢ 1 tsp salt
- ▢ 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- ▢ 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Anna’s Tip: Use butter instead of oil in the sauce trust me, it gives it that rich, comforting flavor grandma always used to get just right.
Let’s Cook This Together: Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Steak and Potatoes
- Cut the steak into 2-3 inch cubes. Rub them all over with avocado oil.
- Sprinkle generously with your homemade blackened seasoning. Let them sit out at room temp for 10-15 minutes while you get your potatoes going. This step is key it helps them cook more evenly and sear better.
- Meanwhile, peel and quarter the potatoes, then place them in a bowl of cold water. Soaking helps draw out the extra starch and makes them super fluffy.
Cook the Steak Bites
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2-3 tablespoons of avocado oil. Add the steak bites but don’t overcrowd them. You want them to sizzle, not steam.
- Let them sear undisturbed for about 2 minutes until they get that golden crust. Flip once, cook another minute, then lower the heat and finish with one more minute. Remove and place in a bowl.
- In the same skillet, add 3 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp minced garlic. Let it sizzle until fragrant. Return the steak to the pan and toss it in the garlic butter until every piece is coated and glistening. Remove to a bowl and tent with foil.
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Make the Parmesan Cream Sauce
- To the same pan, add 2 tbsp more butter and the rest of the minced garlic. Let it sizzle.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it reduce for about 3-5 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in the red pepper flakes, diced green onions, and parmesan. Whisk until creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
Anna’s Tip: Want a smoother sauce? Use finely grated parmesan it melts in perfectly.
Make the Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Drain the potatoes once fork-tender.
- Add in the melted butter and warmed half and half. Mash until smooth (I like a hand masher—it keeps some texture).
- Stir in the cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and cheesy and irresistible.
Time to Plate!
Spoon a generous scoop of mashed potatoes onto each plate. Top with those sizzling garlic butter steak bites. Drizzle over that dreamy parmesan cream sauce. Sprinkle a few extra scallions or parmesan shavings if you’re feeling fancy.
Then sit down and enjoy the silence because everyone will be too busy eating to talk.
FAQ
How long do Garlic Butter Steak Bites last?
They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Can I substitute an ingredient in the sauce?
Yes! You can use chicken broth instead of heavy cream for a lighter variation, or swap heavy cream for half-and-half to reduce richness.
What can I serve with this dish?
This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even a fresh green salad.
A Few Last Notes From My Kitchen
Every time I make these garlic butter steak bites with parmesan cream sauce, I’m reminded why I love cooking in the first place. It’s not just about putting food on the table it’s about creating those small, quiet moments where everyone gathers, takes a bite, and you hear that little sigh of happiness. You know the one. That “mmm, this is so good” moment that says more than words ever could.
This recipe has quickly become one of our go-tos, especially on busy weeknights when I need something satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly comforting, but what makes it special is how deeply flavorful every component is. The garlic butter clings to each juicy bite of steak, the parmesan cream sauce adds a rich, velvety layer that brings it all together, and the mashed potatoes underneath? Just pure, cozy goodness.
And you know what? It’s not fancy. There’s no complicated technique or hard-to-find ingredient. Everything in this dish is made with simple pantry staples real butter, garlic, cream, cheese, and good steak. No tricks, no shortcuts, just real food made with love. That’s always been my motto in the kitchen. It’s what my grandma taught me, and it’s what I try to pass on through every recipe I share.
What I love most is how versatile this dish is. Don’t have sirloin? Use ribeye. Want to lighten things up? Swap the heavy cream for half-and-half. You can even skip the mashed potatoes and serve the steak bites over pasta, rice, or roasted veggies. I’ve made it for family dinners, quiet date nights, and even meal-prepped it for lunches during the week. It always hits the spot.
One of the little secrets to making this dish truly shine? Letting the steak sit at room temperature before cooking. I know it’s tempting to throw it straight from the fridge into the pan, but taking 10 minutes to let the chill come off helps it cook evenly and sear better. That’s where all the flavor happens in that golden crust. And don’t skip the homemade blackened seasoning! It’s smoky, spicy, and totally customizable depending on your heat preference.
The parmesan cream sauce deserves its own love letter. It’s simple just butter, garlic, cream, and cheese but when it comes together in the pan, it becomes this luscious, dreamy blanket that ties everything together. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives it a little kick, and the scallions brighten it up just enough. I could eat it by the spoonful, honestly.
When I serve this meal, I don’t need to say a word. My family devours it. It’s one of those comfort food dinners that speaks for itself. And as a home cook, that’s the best feeling in the world to see empty plates, full bellies, and happy faces around the table.
If you make this recipe and I really hope you do tag me @dolcerecipe or use the hashtag #garlicbuttersteakbites on Instagram so I can see your creations! I love seeing how you all put your own spin on my recipes. Whether you add extra cheese (yes please), use a different cut of steak, or serve it with roasted veggies instead of mashed potatoes, I’m always inspired by your creativity.
Cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes all it takes is a skillet, a little butter, a handful of garlic, and a whole lot of heart. This recipe is proof of that. It turns everyday ingredients into something that feels special something that brings people together and makes them feel cared for.
So from my kitchen to yours, I hope this one brings you as much joy as it’s brought me and my family. Now go grab those steaks, fire up the skillet, and treat yourself to the kind of dinner that makes a regular Tuesday feel a little more like Sunday.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Parmesan Cream Sauce
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Pot
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Potato Masher
- Knife
Ingredients
Steak Bites
- 2 pounds Steak filet, ribeye, or sirloin cut into 2–3 inch cubes
- 5 tablespoons Avocado oil divided for searing
Parmesan Cream Sauce
- 5 tablespoons Butter divided
- 10 cloves Garlic minced and divided
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream
- 2 whole Green onions diced, both white and green parts
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes optional, adjust to taste
- 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese shredded or grated
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- 4 pounds Russet potatoes peeled and quartered
- 1 cup Half and half warmed
- 6 tablespoons Salted butter melted
- 3/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese or mozzarella/pepper jack, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper to taste
Homemade Blackened Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1 tablespoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
Instructions
- Cut steak into 2–3 inch cubes. Rub with avocado oil and coat evenly in blackened seasoning. Let sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes.
- Peel and quarter potatoes. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender while cooking the steak.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high with 2–3 tablespoons avocado oil. Sear steak bites in batches, 2 minutes undisturbed per side, flipping once. Reduce heat and cook 1 more minute. Remove to a bowl.
- Add 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until fragrant, then return steak to coat in garlic butter. Remove and tent with foil.
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons butter and remaining garlic. Sauté until fragrant, then slowly whisk in heavy cream. Simmer 3–5 minutes to thicken.
- Stir in red pepper flakes, scallions, and parmesan cheese. Whisk until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Drain cooked potatoes. Mash with melted butter and warmed half and half. Add cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- To serve, spoon mashed potatoes onto plates. Top with steak bites and drizzle with parmesan cream sauce. Garnish with parsley if desired.
