Savory Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe

Sizzling Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe: A Fusion Delight

Crafting a mouthwatering philly cheesesteak pasta promises an adventure in culinary comfort.

Steak strips dance with peppers and onions, creating a flavor explosion that defies traditional boundaries.

Creamy melted cheese binds each delectable bite into a nostalgic masterpiece.

Philadelphia’s iconic sandwich meets pasta in a delightful crossover that will make your taste buds cheer.

Tender beef and caramelized vegetables intermingle with al dente noodles for a hearty meal.

Weeknight dinners just got an exciting upgrade with this simple yet impressive dish.

Dive in and savor every single forkful of this irresistible fusion.

Why Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Is Packed With Flavor

  • Tackle Quickly: This one-pan wonder simplifies cooking by combining all ingredients in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and kitchen chaos.
  • Customize Boldly: Adaptable recipe allows swapping proteins, vegetables, or cheese types to match personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
  • Pack Protein Punch: Lean beef and creamy cheeses deliver a satisfying meal loaded with high-quality protein that keeps hunger at bay.
  • Create Family Comfort: Hearty pasta dish with familiar ingredients appeals to kids and adults alike, making mealtime enjoyable and stress-free.

What Goes In Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

For the Pasta:
  • Penne Pasta: A classic pasta shape that perfectly captures the creamy sauce and holds the beef mixture well.
For the Proteins:
  • Beef Steak: A tender, flavorful meat that adds rich protein and creates a hearty main component of the dish.
  • Cream Cheese: Provides a smooth, velvety texture and adds a rich, tangy creaminess to the sauce.
  • Provolone Cheese: Melts beautifully and offers a sharp, slightly smoky flavor to complement the beef.
For the Vegetables and Seasonings:
  • Onions, Green Bell Peppers: These vegetables add sweetness, texture, and depth of flavor to the dish.
  • Garlic: Brings a pungent, aromatic base that enhances the overall taste of the recipe.
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Oregano: Essential seasonings that elevate and balance the flavors of the beef and vegetables.
For the Cooking Basics:
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and beef, adding a subtle richness to the dish.

How To Cook Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Easily

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a vigorous boil. Drop in penne pasta and cook until it reaches the ideal tender-yet-firm texture, typically taking 8-10 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté Colorful Vegetables

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Add:
  • Sliced onions
  • Green bell peppers

Cook the vegetables until they soften and develop a gentle caramelized edge, which takes about 5-6 minutes.

Step 3: Infuse with Garlic Aroma

Toss minced garlic into the vegetable mixture. Stir continuously for 30 seconds, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn and releases its fragrant essence.

Step 4: Brown the Beef

Move the vegetables to one side of the skillet. Place thinly sliced beef steak in the empty space. Cook the beef rapidly, stirring occasionally, until it browns completely and loses its pink color, which takes roughly 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Season the Mixture

Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and dried oregano across the beef and vegetable mixture. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat and introduce cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese melts, transforming into a luxurious sauce that embraces the beef and vegetables.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Mixture

Gently fold the cooked penne pasta into the skillet. Toss everything together, ensuring each pasta piece gets coated with the creamy sauce.

Step 8: Melt Cheese Topping

Scatter shredded provolone cheese over the pasta. Cover the skillet and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the skillet from heat. Plate immediately and optionally garnish with extra herbs or a sprinkle of black pepper for added zest.

Tips To Make Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Even Better

  • Select Pasta Perfectly: Choose penne with ridges to help sauce cling better, creating more flavorful bites.
  • Prevent Meat Overcooking: Slice beef thinly and cook quickly at high heat to maintain tenderness and juicy texture.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Allow provolone to sit covered briefly, ensuring smooth, even melting without burning.
  • Balance Veggie Texture: Sauté onions and peppers until slightly caramelized for deeper, sweeter flavor profile.
  • Cream Cheese Smoothing Trick: Reduce heat when adding cream cheese to prevent separation and achieve silky sauce consistency.

Tasty Twists On Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

  • Vegetarian Pasta Swap: Replace beef with plant-based protein like tempeh or seitan, maintaining the same cooking method and spice profile for a meat-free version.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free penne pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate sensitive diets.
  • Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced jalapeños, replace provolone with pepper jack cheese, and incorporate chili powder for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute penne with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the original recipe's essence.

Perfect Matches For Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

  • Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the rich beef and creamy cheese flavors, enhancing the overall dining experience.
  • Serve with Crisp Side Salad: Create a light green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the heavy, creamy pasta dish and provide a refreshing contrast in texture and taste.
  • Match with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add an extra layer of savory goodness that perfectly complements the beef and pasta.
  • Enjoy with Craft Beer: Choose a hoppy IPA or amber ale that can cut through the richness of the cream cheese and provide a zesty, refreshing counterpoint to the hearty meal.

How To Store Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Without Drying

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, preventing moisture and odors from affecting the pasta's taste.
  • Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
  • Transfer pasta to a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or beef broth to restore moisture. Stir gently and frequently to distribute heat evenly, preventing sticking and burning. Warm for 4-5 minutes until heated through.

Answers To Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Questions

  • Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute penne with other short pasta like rigatoni or ziti. The key is to choose pasta shapes that can hold the creamy sauce well.

  • What cut of beef works best for this recipe?

Sirloin or flank steak are ideal choices. They’re tender, lean, and cook quickly, making them perfect for this skillet pasta dish.

  • Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can replace cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cream or vegan cream cheese. For the provolone, use dairy-free cheese substitutes that melt well.

  • How can I make this dish spicier?

Add red pepper flakes while seasoning or include a dash of hot sauce when mixing the ingredients. You can also incorporate sliced jalapeños during the vegetable sautéing stage for extra heat.

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Savory Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe

Savory Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe


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4.7 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Comfort meets classic with this Philly Cheesesteak Pasta, blending Philadelphia’s iconic sandwich flavors into a hearty pasta dish. Melted provolone, tender beef strips, and sautéed peppers create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein and Cheese:

  • 1 lb thinly sliced beef steak
  • 2 cups shredded provolone cheese
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese

Pasta and Base:

  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Vegetables and Seasonings:

  • 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté sliced onions and green bell peppers until they become soft and slightly caramelized, about 5-6 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic to the vegetable mixture and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  4. Push vegetables to one side of the skillet and add thinly sliced beef steak to the empty space. Cook beef quickly, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and no longer pink, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  5. Season the beef and vegetable mixture with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
  6. Reduce heat to low and incorporate cream cheese into the skillet, stirring until it melts and creates a creamy sauce coating the beef and vegetables.
  7. Add cooked penne pasta to the skillet, gently tossing to combine all ingredients and ensure even coating.
  8. Sprinkle shredded provolone cheese over the pasta mixture, cover the skillet, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes until the cheese completely melts.
  9. Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnishing with additional herbs or black pepper if desired.

Notes

  • Slice steak against the grain for maximum tenderness and easier chewing, ensuring each bite remains juicy and flavorful.
  • Use ribeye or sirloin cuts for the most authentic Philly cheesesteak experience, providing rich marbling and robust beef flavor.
  • For a lighter version, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt and use lean beef cuts to reduce overall calories without compromising taste.
  • Accommodate gluten-free diets by replacing penne with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta, maintaining the dish’s classic cheesy and meaty profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 660
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 64 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

Recipe Curator & Food Educator

Expertise

  • Curating diverse recipe collections
  • Educating on global culinary traditions
  • Developing informative food content

Education

Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations


Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.

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