Easy 20-Minute Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini: Your Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Recipe
Craving a hearty, flavorful meal that comes together in a flash? Look no further than this incredible **Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini**! Imagine tender, thinly sliced steak, sautéed peppers and onions, all enveloped in a rich, creamy, and gloriously cheesy sauce, perfectly coating pillowy cheese tortellini. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary hug that’s surprisingly simple to make. Designed for those busy evenings when time is short but deliciousness is non-negotiable, this recipe leverages convenient ingredients to deliver an unforgettable main dish pasta in approximately 20 minutes.
This is the answer to your prayers for those hectic weeknights, or for any cook who feels too tired to embark on a lengthy culinary adventure. We’ve got you covered with this ridiculously easy, one-pan pasta recipe. You’d never guess that this hearty Philly Cheesesteak pasta starts off with cleverly chosen convenience items, allowing you to bring restaurant-quality flavors to your dinner table in record time!
The beauty of this Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini lies in its simplicity and speed without compromising on taste. It’s wonderfully creamy and incredibly satisfying, bursting with all the iconic flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Yet, it only demands a few precious minutes of your time to prepare and serve. This dish perfectly marries the ease required for a busy weeknight meal with a gourmet taste that will impress your family and friends. Get ready for this cheesesteak pasta recipe to quickly become a new, much-loved family favorite!
The secret to its lightning-fast preparation? Smart ingredient choices! We’re talking about pre-sliced sirloin steak, frozen cheese tortellini, and a ready-to-go seasoning blend. These components eliminate the need for extensive chopping, marinating, or long cooking times, meaning less fuss in the kitchen and more time enjoying your delicious creation. It’s comfort food redefined for the modern, busy household.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Quick & Cheesy Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini:
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with a few helpful tips and insights:
- 1 package of quick steaks, Philly sirloin steaks, or Steak-umm’s. Approximately 4 individual steaks.
What are quick steaks or Steak-umm’s? These are simply very finely sliced steak portions, often frozen for convenience, that cook incredibly fast. They’re made from real steak and offer a surprisingly good flavor and texture, perfectly mimicking the thinly sliced steak found in a traditional Philly cheesesteak. Their pre-portioned nature makes them ideal for quick cooking, ensuring your meal is on the table in minutes. If you can’t find these, you can thinly slice a sirloin or ribeye steak yourself and chop it up after searing.
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips.
- ½ onion, cut into thin strips.
The classic bell pepper and onion duo is essential for that authentic Philly flavor. Cutting them into thin strips allows them to cook quickly and integrate seamlessly with the steak and pasta. Feel free to use a red or yellow bell pepper if you prefer, or even add some sliced mushrooms for extra earthiness.
- 1 ½ tsp Montreal steak seasoning.
This seasoning blend is a game-changer, typically featuring a robust mix of black pepper, garlic, onion, and various spices that perfectly complement beef. If you have another variety of steak seasoning you love, or a simple mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, feel free to use that instead!
- 1 (19-ounce package) frozen cheese tortellini.
Frozen tortellini is a brilliant shortcut here. It cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors and eliminating the need for a separate pot of boiling water. The cheese filling adds another layer of creaminess and indulgence to the dish.
- 1 pint of heavy cream.
This is what gives our sauce its luxurious, rich, and velvety texture. It’s the base for a truly decadent experience. If you’re looking to cut calories, you can substitute half-and-half, but be aware that the sauce won’t come out as thick, creamy, and rich as with heavy cream. The flavor will still be good, but the mouthfeel will be lighter.
- 1 cup of shredded provolone cheese.
Provolone is the quintessential cheese for a Philly cheesesteak. It melts beautifully, offering a mild, slightly tangy, and wonderfully gooey finish that ties all the flavors together. Shredding it yourself from a block will give you the best melt, but pre-shredded works fine too.
- 1 tsp olive oil.
Just a touch of olive oil helps sauté our steak and vegetables to perfection.
How to Make Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini: A Step-by-Step Guide
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping dinner in under 20 minutes.
- In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, carefully add the pre-portioned steaks to one side of the pan and the thinly sliced peppers and onions to the other side. This allows each component to cook efficiently. Sprinkle the Montreal steak seasoning generously over both the steaks and the vegetables to infuse them with rich flavor from the start.
2. Cook the steaks according to the directions on their package. This usually means breaking them up and searing them until browned and cooked through. Simultaneously, the peppers and onions will become perfectly crisp-tender, retaining a slight bite that adds wonderful texture. Once both are cooked, stir them together in the pan, allowing their flavors to meld beautifully.
3. Now for the magic! Add the frozen cheese tortellini directly to the pan, followed by the heavy cream. Stir everything to combine, ensuring the tortellini is mostly submerged in the creamy liquid. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the tortellini is cooked through and tender. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensure even cooking.
4. Once the tortellini has cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened, sprinkle the shredded provolone cheese evenly over the pasta and steak mixture. Place the lid back on the pan and let it heat for just a few minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and gooey. Give it a final gentle stir to incorporate the melted cheese, then serve immediately. The aroma alone will have everyone rushing to the table!
Serving Suggestions for Your Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini
This rich and satisfying Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini is a complete meal on its own, but a few simple additions can elevate your dinner experience. I personally love to serve this pasta with these Easy Pull Apart Garlic Rolls – their buttery, garlicky goodness is the perfect complement for soaking up every last bit of that creamy sauce. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette also makes for an excellent side, providing a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta. For a slightly more upscale touch, consider pairing it with a glass of a dry white wine or a light-bodied red.
Tips, Variations, and Making it Your Own
This Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini recipe is wonderfully versatile! While it’s fantastic as is, there are several ways to customize it to your taste or what you have on hand.
- Using Leftover Meat: Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini is also great made with leftover roast beef or leftover thinly sliced steaks. To prepare with already cooked meat, simply skip step 1 (cooking the raw steaks and veggies separately). Instead, start with step 2 by sautéing your bell peppers and onions until crisp-tender. Then, add the pre-cooked meat to the pan at the same time as the frozen tortellini and heavy cream (step 3), ensuring it heats through with the sauce.
- Spice It Up: For those who love a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the steak seasoning will give this dish a delicious kick.
- Extra Veggies: Feel free to toss in other quick-cooking vegetables like sliced mushrooms, baby spinach (it will wilt down quickly), or even a handful of frozen peas during the last few minutes of simmering.
- Cheese Swaps: While provolone is classic, other cheeses like mozzarella, white cheddar, or a blend of Italian cheeses would also melt beautifully and provide a delicious cheesy flavor. For a truly authentic (and slightly controversial) Philly touch, you could even stir in a spoonful of cheese whiz at the very end!
- Broth for Lighter Sauce: If you’re really conscious about calories and want to avoid half-and-half, you could substitute some of the heavy cream with a good quality beef broth, though this will significantly lighten the sauce’s richness.
Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini tastes just as good, if not better, the next day. Allow the pasta to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through, or gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
Pin this recipe or click the ❤️ to save it for later!
Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini
Print
Rate
SaveSaved!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 4 count package Philly Sirloin Steaks*
- 1 green bell pepper
- ½ yellow onion
- 1 ½ teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning*
- 1 19 ounce bag frozen cheese tortellini
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
Instructions
-
In a large sauté pan heat the oil over medium high heat. Carefully add the steaks on one side of the skillet and the peppers and onions to the other side. Sprinkle the steak seasoning over the steaks and veggies.
-
Cook the steaks according to the directions on the package. By the time the steaks are cooked the peppers and onions will also be cooked crisp tender. Stir to combine the steaks and veggies.
-
Next add the frozen tortellini and heavy cream to the pan. Bring this to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pan and let the pasta simmer for 10 minutes. Stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking on the bottom.
-
When the tortellini has cooked through, sprinkle the cheese over the pasta and again place the lid back on the top. Let this heat just long enough to melt the cheese and then serve!
Notes
If you’re looking to cut calories, you can substitute half and half for cream, but the sauce won’t come out as creamy and rich.
Recommended Products
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love This Easy Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini Recipe
This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a testament to how incredible a quick and easy meal can be. The harmonious blend of savory steak, sweet and crunchy peppers and onions, and the creamy, cheesy sauce truly captures the essence of a classic Philly cheesesteak, but in a comforting, family-friendly pasta format. It’s the perfect solution for busy parents, weeknight warriors, or anyone looking for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Enjoy the ease, savor the taste, and make this **Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini** a staple in your meal rotation!