Description
This Crock Pot Cheesesteak Tortellini is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal combining tender slow-cooked steak, vibrant bell peppers and onions, creamy cheeses, and tender cheese tortellini. Perfect for a busy day, this recipe lets your slow cooker do all the work, delivering rich flavors and a creamy cheesy sauce with minimal effort.
Ingredients
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 (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef (optional): Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear shaved beef or ground beef until lightly browned. Drain excess fat to prevent greasiness in the slow cooker.
- Layer ingredients in Crock Pot: Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker along with sliced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, beef broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the beef is tender and the vegetables have softened.
- Make the sauce creamy: Stir in the softened cream cheese until it melts and blends smoothly into the broth, then add shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese and mix well to create a rich, cheesy sauce.
- Add tortellini: Gently stir in the cheese tortellini during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking. Cook until the pasta is tender but still holds its shape, avoiding mushiness.
- Finish and serve: Optionally, top with extra shredded cheese for added richness. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh herbaceous note.
Notes
- For a quicker version, you can skip browning the beef, but searing adds extra flavor.
- Mushrooms are optional but add great umami depth; omit if desired.
- Use fresh tortellini if available for best texture, or frozen works well too.
- Adjust salt and seasoning to taste at the end, as broth and cheeses can add saltiness.
- Be careful not to overcook tortellini as it can become mushy; add near the end only.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or on stovetop with a splash of broth or milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
