Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about half a cup of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak bites in a single layer and let them sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a good crust. Then stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until browned and just cooked through.

Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet with the steak. Stir everything together as the butter melts, coating the steak with garlic and seasoning. Sprinkle in paprika, salt, pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well and remove from heat.

Step 4: In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

Step 5: Toss the cooked pasta into the Parmesan cream sauce and stir to coat all the shells evenly. Let it cook for another 1-2 minutes on low heat to absorb flavor. Serve the pasta topped with steak bites, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and a bit more grated Parmesan if desired.