Crock Pot Cheesesteak Tortellini Recipe
This Crock Pot Cheesesteak Tortellini recipe combines tender shaved beef, vibrant bell peppers, sautéed onions, and mushrooms simmered in a flavorful beef broth, enriched with creamy cheeses and tender tortellini. Slow-cooked to perfection, this comforting one-pot meal delivers the classic cheesesteak flavor in a creamy pasta form, perfect for an easy, satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 ½ pounds shaved beef steak (or ribeye, sirloin, or ground beef)
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced (green or mixed colors)
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (optional)
Liquids & Dairy
- 3 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or provolone)
Pasta & Seasonings
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef (optional): Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the shaved beef or ground beef until lightly browned, which helps enhance the meat’s flavor. Drain off any excess fat before moving to the next step.
- Layer ingredients in Crock Pot: Add the browned beef, sliced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, beef broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables have softened beautifully.
- Make the sauce creamy: Stir in the softened cream cheese into the mixture until it’s melted and smooth, creating a rich and creamy sauce base. Then add the shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese and mix well to combine and melt the cheese.
- Add tortellini: During the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the cheese tortellini. Cook until the pasta is tender but still holds its shape, avoiding mushiness.
- Finish and serve: Optionally top the dish with extra shredded cheese for an even cheesier finish. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving warm.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overcooking the tortellini; add it near the end of the cooking time.
- If using frozen tortellini, there is no need to thaw before adding to the Crock Pot.
- You can substitute mozzarella with provolone for a more authentic cheesesteak flavor.
- Brown the beef before slow cooking to enhance flavor, but you can skip this step for convenience.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the salt, depending on your beef broth’s sodium content.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cream cheese and mozzarella and consider using dairy-free cheese alternatives.
Keywords: cheesesteak, tortellini, crock pot recipe, slow cooker, beef, creamy pasta, easy dinner
