There’s something downright comforting about a creamy pasta that brings the bold flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak together in one dish. This Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe blends tender steak, sweet peppers, and melty cheese into a rich sauce that clings to every noodle—it’s seriously addictive and so worth making on a weeknight!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I love this Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe because it’s such a fantastic mashup of two favorites—rich, cheesy comfort food meets tender steak and veggies in one pan. Trust me, once you try it, it becomes a staple for quick dinners that impress without fuss.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these essentials already in your pantry and fridge.
- Quick to Make: From start to finish, it takes just about 25 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
- Flavor-Packed: The Worcestershire sauce and double cream blend beautifully to create a savory, slightly tangy sauce that elevates the dish.
- Flexible Pasta Options: Whether you use pappardelle, tagliatelle, or spaghetti, the sauce sticks beautifully and makes every bite luscious.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe plays a role in layering flavor and texture—think tender steak strips, sweet veggies, rich cream, and gooey mozzarella cheese. When combined, they create a sauce that’s decadent yet balanced.
- Pappardelle Pasta:The wide ribbons gorgeously hold onto the creamy sauce; if you don’t have pappardelle, tagliatelle or even fettuccine works wonderfully too.
- Neutral Oil (Avocado or Rapeseed): These high-heat oils let you sear the steak perfectly without burning.
- Fillet or Ribeye Steak: For tender, flavorful slices—ribeye adds more richness due to its marbling, but fillet is a leaner option.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the steak and final dish to bring out all the flavors.
- Salted Butter: Adds a velvety finish to the veggies and ties the sauce elements together.
- Onion and Green Bell Pepper: Classic Philly steakhouse veggies that add sweetness and crunch.
- Garlic: Just a touch to deepen the savory notes.
- Double (Heavy) Cream: Creates the luscious base for the sauce, making it rich without overpowering the steak.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a subtle tang and umami punch, a small secret that really makes the dish sing.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Use ready-grated for ease, and its melting quality keeps the sauce deliciously cheesy.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap out the mozzarella for provolone or add a little hot sauce for a spicy kick. Feel free to make this dish your own!
- Variation: Sometimes I add mushrooms or substitute the green bell pepper for red for a sweeter flavor—you can’t really go wrong here.
- Make it lighter: Swap the double cream for half-and-half if you want to cut back on richness; just keep an eye on the sauce consistency.
- Vegetarian option: Try using thick-cut grilled portobello mushrooms instead of steak—they soak up the sauce beautifully.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta Perfectly
Start by cooking the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. Follow the package instructions—usually around 10 to 12 minutes—until al dente. Don’t forget to save about a cup of that starchy pasta water before you drain; it’s a game-changer for loosening the sauce later.
Step 2: Sear the Steak
While the pasta cooks, heat your neutral oil over high heat in a large skillet. When it’s really hot, toss in the steak strips seasoned with salt and black pepper. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until they’re browned but still juicy inside. I like to do this in batches if needed, to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove the steak to a bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies
Lower the heat to medium-high and melt the butter in the same pan, scraping up those lovely steak bits. Add the thickly sliced onion and green bell pepper, cooking for about 3 minutes until they start to soften. Then stir in minced garlic and cook just 30 seconds more—too much longer and the garlic can burn and get bitter.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the double cream and Worcestershire sauce, giving everything a good stir. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer. Then return the steak along with any juices from the bowl back to the pan. Keep the heat low so everything stays tender and the flavors meld together.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Add the drained pasta to your pan with the steak, veggies, and sauce. Toss everything carefully—adding a splash or two of the reserved pasta cooking water if the sauce seems too thick. Taste and adjust seasoning with a bit more salt and pepper if needed. Finally, sprinkle on the grated mozzarella and stir gently until melted into the sauce.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Serve immediately with a fresh crack of black pepper on top. This dish is best enjoyed straight from the pan, with all those rich flavors still warm and comforting.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe come out perfectly every time—here are some that might save you a headache or two:
- High Heat for Steak: Make sure your pan is super hot before adding the steak. It helps get a great sear and locks in flavors.
- Don’t Skip Pasta Water: That starchy water is magic for adjusting sauce consistency without watering down flavor.
- Slice Veggies Thick: Thick slices hold up better and offer that nice bite, reminiscent of a classic cheesesteak experience.
- Use Good Quality Steak: Since it’s the star, a ribeye or fillet can make the dish taste restaurant-worthy.
How to Serve Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I like topping mine with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives to add a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, a few red chili flakes or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds a nice touch too.
Side Dishes
Since this Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe is pretty rich, I often pair it with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted broccoli for a bit of crunch without competing flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I sometimes serve this pasta in individual cast iron skillets—keeps it warm and looks super inviting. On casual nights, it’s perfect in a big family-style bowl right in the center of the table, ready for everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so I add a splash of cream or milk when reheating to bring it back to that lovely saucy texture.
Freezing
This recipe freezes okay, but I prefer to freeze the sauce separately from the pasta if I can. The cream sauce can sometimes separate when frozen, so reheating gently and stirring well helps bring it back together.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a little cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the steak tougher and the sauce less smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Ribeye and fillet are great choices because they’re tender and cook quickly, but you can also use sirloin or flank steak if sliced thinly across the grain. Just be careful not to overcook tougher cuts.
If your sauce thickens too much, gradually add reserved pasta cooking water or a splash of cream while stirring to loosen it back up. The starchy water helps keep the sauce rich without diluting the flavor.
Yes, you can substitute the double cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free heavy cream alternative, and use a dairy-free mozzarella-style cheese. The flavor will be a bit different but still delicious with those spicy steak and veggie notes.
The key is slicing your steak thinly against the grain and cooking it quickly over high heat just until browned. Overcooking makes it chewy; pulling it off the heat while still a bit pink inside keeps it tender and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
This Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe holds a special place in my rotation—it’s quick, hearty, and full of layers of flavor that never get old. Making it always feels like a little celebration of comfort food, and I hope you find that same joy when you whip it up. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite weeknight dinner!
Print
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta combines tender strips of steak, sautéed onions, and green bell peppers with creamy double cream and melted mozzarella, all tossed with pappardelle pasta for a rich and comforting dish inspired by the classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 300 g dried pappardelle pasta
Steak and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado or rapeseed)
- 400 g fillet or ribeye steak, sliced into 1cm strips
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 onion, peeled and thickly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thickly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
Sauce and Cheese
- 240 ml double (heavy) cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 100 g ready-grated mozzarella cheese
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil and cook the pappardelle according to package instructions, about 12 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
- Cook the steak: Heat neutral oil in a large frying pan over high heat until hot. Add the steak strips, season with salt and black pepper, and fry for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside in a bowl.
- Sauté vegetables: Reduce heat to medium-high and add the butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the sliced onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 3 minutes until starting to soften.
- Add garlic and sauce ingredients: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in the double cream and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Recombine steak and sauce: Return the cooked steak and any resting juices to the pan. Lower the heat to low to keep warm and gently combine.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan with the steak, vegetables, and sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Season to taste with additional salt and black pepper.
- Add cheese and serve: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella over the pasta and stir gently until melted and incorporated. Serve immediately topped with a fresh grind of black pepper.
Notes
- Use ribeye or fillet steak for tender, flavorful meat strips.
- If you cannot find pappardelle, tagliatelle, fettuccine, or spaghetti can be used as alternatives.
- Ready-grated mozzarella helps the cheese melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for perfect creaminess.
- For a richer flavor, use full-fat double cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 802 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 605 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 156 mg
Leave a Reply