Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the cubed steak pieces completely dry with paper towels to ensure a superior sear.
- Season the steak cubes generously on all sides with salt and pepper.
- Place a heavy-bottomed cast-iron skillet over high heat until it begins to smoke slightly.
- Add the oil and butter to the hot pan, then arrange the steak bites in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes without moving them to develop a deep, dark brown crust.
- Add the minced garlic during the last 30 seconds of cooking, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Remove the steak bites from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and pour the heavy cream into the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Whisk in the Parmesan cheese and garlic powder until the sauce thickens into a smooth, silky consistency.
- Add the optional red pepper flakes if desired.
- Return the steak bites to the pan, toss quickly to coat in the sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving immediately.
Notes
Always grate your own Parmesan cheese from a block; pre-grated bags contain anti-caking agents that prevent a smooth melt. To prevent the steak from steaming instead of searing, do not crowd the pan—if you have a smaller skillet, cook in two separate batches. Serve alongside crusty sourdough bread to soak up the leftover sauce, or pair with a light arugula salad to balance the richness.
