Description
This Crock Pot Cheesesteak Tortellini is a comforting, cheesy one-pot meal combining tender beef, sautéed peppers and onions, mushrooms, and cheese tortellini in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for busy days, it slow cooks to deliver savory flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture 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)
Dairy & Cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or provolone
Pantry
- 3 cups beef broth
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shaved beef or ground beef and cook until just lightly browned. Drain any excess fat. This step adds flavor but can be skipped to save time.
- Layer ingredients in Crock Pot: Add browned beef, sliced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, beef broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook slowly: Cover and cook on the low setting for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 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 smoothly into the mixture. Then add shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese and mix thoroughly to create a rich, creamy sauce.
- Add tortellini: Stir in the cheese tortellini about 20 to 30 minutes before the end of cooking. Continue cooking until the tortellini is tender but still holds its shape—avoid overcooking to prevent mushiness.
- Finish and serve: Optionally top with extra shredded cheese. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh touch.
Notes
- For a quicker meal, skip browning the beef and add it directly to the crock pot.
- Use fresh tortellini for best texture; frozen tortellini also works well.
- You can substitute beef broth with mushroom or vegetable broth for a different flavor.
- If you prefer, omit mushrooms for a simpler cheesesteak taste.
- This dish can be made a day ahead; refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.
