Description
This Crock Pot Cheesesteak Tortellini recipe combines tender beef, sautéed vegetables, and cheesy tortellini into a creamy, comforting slow-cooked meal. Perfect for busy days, this dish offers rich flavors from melted cream cheese and mozzarella, balanced by savory beef broth and Italian seasoning, all made effortlessly in a crock pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 ½ pounds shaved beef steak (or ribeye, sirloin, or ground beef)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced (green or mixed colors)
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (optional)
Liquids and Cheese
- 3 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or provolone)
Pasta and Seasoning
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef (optional): Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the shaved beef or ground beef until it is lightly browned, then drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Layer ingredients in Crock Pot: Place the browned beef, sliced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms (if using), beef broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Make the sauce creamy: Stir in the softened cream cheese until it melts completely into a smooth sauce. Then add the shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese, mixing well to combine the creamy texture with the other ingredients.
- 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 overcooking to prevent mushiness.
- Finish and serve: Optionally top the dish with extra shredded cheese before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley to add color and a touch of freshness to the hearty meal.
Notes
- For an extra depth of flavor, searing the beef before adding it to the crock pot is recommended but optional.
- You can substitute mozzarella with provolone cheese for a sharper flavor.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the beef and use vegetable broth with extra mushrooms and peppers.
- Fresh tortellini cooks faster than frozen, so adjust cooking time accordingly to prevent overcooking.
- Leftovers reheat well and make excellent meals for the next day.
