**Ingredients:**
– 1½ lbs steak, cubed
– 3 tbsp butter
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– Salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to taste
– 10 oz pasta (penne or shells)
**Pepper Jack Cream Sauce:**
– 2 tbsp butter
– 1¼ cups heavy cream
– 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
– ½ tsp garlic powder
– ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. Cook pasta and set aside.
2. Sear steak in garlic butter, seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. For sauce: melt butter, add cream, garlic powder, and melt in pepper jack cheese. Stir until smooth.
4. Combine pasta with sauce, then top with steak bites and pan juices.