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    Home » Main Dishes

    Published: Jun 14, 2022 · Modified: Jan 24, 2023 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet 

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    All the things you love about a good Philly cheesesteak sandwich make for an over-the-top easy pasta skillet recipe the whole family will love. Imagine gooey cheesy pasta with thinly sliced beef, tender peppers, and onions combined into one tasty bite. It is comforting, salty, hearty, & creamy. It's the perfect marriage of mac & cheese with a classic Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich.

    So grab your cast iron skillet and make this easy one-pan complete meal in just 30 minutes. Rotini pasta is cooked in the skillet with caramelized onions & sweet bell peppers until al dente. Then imagine the magic of a cheesesteak with thin slices of seasoned beef and gooey melty cheeses added for that real Philly flavor.

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet Ready to eat topped with melted cheese.

    If you order your cheesesteak "wit" onions & peppers, this pasta recipe is for you. It also has what I call that classic Cheez Whiz or Easy Cheese gooeyness that I feel all cheesesteaks must-have. Even the official visit Philadelphia site agrees, order it "whiz wit!"

    This was inspired by my easy Classic Homemade Philly Cheesesteak Recipe on this site. With a pasta version, it is a complete meal and all you need for dinner. But if you want more, it pairs well with Air Fryer Broccolini with Lemon & Parmesan or an Italian Chopped Salad.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Best Meat for Cheesesteaks
    • Instructions for Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
    • 3-Cheese Perfection
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • What to Serve with this Pasta Skillet
    • Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet 

    Ingredients

    This recipe calls for all the classic ingredients that you need for a good cheesesteak sandwich, minus the hoagie roll. To finish off the Philly vibe, you need some sliced onion, sweet bell peppers, &, of course, the cheese! This cheesy recipe has 3 kinds of cheese in it. A good cheesesteak needs a processed cheese food product like Easy Cheese or Cheese Whiz. The pasta sauce is creamy thanks to cream cheese. Plus added slices of provolone for a cheesy topper. Then you add rotini pasta, broth, and seasonings, and the whole thing comes together.

    Best Meat for Cheesesteaks

    I highly recommend getting the all-natural shaved beef steak from Trader Joe's for this cheesesteak pasta recipe. It is thinly sliced and is perfect for this recipe. If you do not have a Trader Joe's near you, ask your butcher to thinly slice ribeye or sirloin steaks.

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet Ingredients on a white table.
    • Olive Oil
    • Shaved Beef Steak
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • Black Pepper
    • Garlic Powder
    • Salted Butter
    • Bell Pepper
    • Onion
    • Beef Broth
    • Rotini Pasta
    • Cream Cheese
    • Cheez Whiz/Easy Cheese
    • Provolone Cheese

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions for Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

    Begin by prepping your ingredients into sliced or chopped pieces. Begin by slicing the onion into slices and then quarter rounds as shown below. You will also need to remove the stem, seeds, and membranes from the bell pepper. Then thinly slice that. Once they are all ready, the cooking time and effort for this recipe are minimal. That helps make this recipe fairly quick and easy.

    Onion cut into 4 pieces and then thinly sliced.

    The shaved beef steak will come in large thin slices. This is great for a cheesesteak sandwich that you will take meaty bites of. However, I found that smaller bite-sized pieces work better in other recipes like this pasta dish. If you want smaller pieces of meat in your skillet dinner, dice up the shaved steak. Set aside. 

    Cutting the shaved beef into smaller pieces on a cutting board.

    Season & Cook the Thin-Sliced Beef

    Heat oil in a large cast-iron pan, or another oven-safe skillet.  Make sure you are using a skillet that will be large enough to fit all the meat, pasta, and other ingredients. I love a cast-iron pan for this recipe on my flat cooktop or try one of the best pans for a gas stove.

    Over medium heat, add the shaved beef, and season with black pepper & garlic powder. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the beef, is cooked through.

    Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir to coat. Remove beef from the pan and set it aside. Do not clean the pan, leave the meat juices. 

    Trader Joes shaved beef steak cooked in the cast iron skillet.

    Cook the Vegetables

    Add butter to the skillet. Scrape up the bits from cooking the meat. Once melted add the peppers and onions. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, just until they are starting to soften.

    Add broth and water to the pan.  Turn up the heat to bring it to a boil.

    Adding broth to the cooked peppers and onions.

    Cook the Pasta in the Skillet

    Once boiling, add the rotini pasta and stir to combine.  Turn the heat down to medium. You want the vegetables and pasta to simmer in the liquid. 

    ** NOTE** If you use a different type of pasta shape such as egg noodles, farfalle, etc the amount of liquid and cooking time may vary. Egg noodles for example cook fast and will need less water & farfalle will need more! In the substitution section below I shared ideas for gluten-free & keto or low-carb friendly pasta alternatives.

    Rotini pasta added to the cast iron skillet.

    After about 12-15 minutes the pasta should be al dente and most of the liquid will be absorbed. It should look like this with some broth left and the veggie will be soft and tender. None of the ingredients will be overcooked or mushy.

    Pasta is cooked and a bit of liquid still in the pan.

    3-Cheese Perfection

    Turn the heat to low.  Add the shaved beef back into the skillet and stir.  Now it is time to add the 3 kinds of cheese to make this the cheesiest steak pasta ever.

    Next, add the softened cream cheese.  The cream cheese and the bit of cooking broth will come together and make a creamy sauce. Coat all the ingredients as you stir.

    Closeup of pasta with the cream cheese stirred in.

    Next, spray about ½ a can of Easy Cheese over the pasta skillet. My kids love to help with this part! Stir to combine. Or use about 4 ounces of Cheez Whiz and stir it in.

    Squirting on the Easy Cheese.

    Top with a layer of the sliced provolone and turn off the stove.  

    Set the oven for a low broil.   Using oven mitts, place the pan in the oven to broil and melt the cheese until bubbly. 

    Carefully remove the skillet from the broiler, the pan will be very hot!  Let the pan sit for a few minutes on the counter before serving. Caution - CHEESE WILL BE HOT! Dig in with a big spoon and serve.

    Under the broiler for Provolone slices to melt.

    Hint: DO NOT step away as the cheese will melt quickly. You can add as much provolone cheese to the top as you like. 4 to 8 slices depending on how big your skillet is ought to cover it.

    Overhead of skillet with melted proovole on top and red napkin plus peppers and onions on the table.

    Substitutions

    If you have dietary needs that you want to make substitutions for, go for it. This is an easy recipe that is versatile and forgiving. Here are a few ways you can make changes and use alternate ingredients for a delicious recipe that fits your diet or food allergies.

    • Shaved Steak - instead of beef, used thinly sliced chicken or ground turkey
    • Pasta- use gluten-free pasta or spaghetti squash for a keto version instead (liquid amounts will need to be adjusted for this)
    • Cheese - if you cannot find Cheese Whiz (which I did) or Easy Cheese, you can use American cheese or Velvetta - all will melt easily.
    • Vegetarian - do not use beef or any protein for a vegetarian take - add in the optional mushrooms to make it more hearty.
    • Worcestershire Sauce - pick an alternate ingredient that is also salty with umami flavors.

    So if you enjoy a low-carb, gluten-free, or vegetarian diet you can also enjoy this delicious homemade Philly cheesesteak pasta skillet. With the above substitutions, this recipe can easily be altered to fit the dietary needs of your household. No matter how you make it, enjoy every yummy bite.

    Variations

    This recipe hits so many tasting notes. It is salty, creamy, rich, savory, & a little bit sweet. If you crave a bit more or like things spicy, try one of this fun and equally yummy variations. All these Philly cheesesteak variations are home runs!

    • Spicy - add jalapeno or other spicy peppers along with the bell peppers
    • Vegetable packed - add sliced mushrooms and/or squash too
    • Low-Sodium - use low-sodium beef broth and leave out the easy cheese
    • Italian - make it a pizza steak by adding diced tomatoes & dried basil with the vegetables or stir in a bit of pizza sauce instead of the Easy Cheese

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet hot and ready to serve.

    Equipment

    This is an easy one-pan recipe so you will need a big skillet. It will need to also be oven-safe so you can broil the final cheese layer. I used a large 12" cast iron skillet and that is what I recommend for this recipe. If you do not have one, you are missing out. They are inexpensive, easy to wipe down, & they can last for decades if not generations.

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you!  

    Storage

    This recipe stores very well in the refrigerator. Place any leftovers in an air-tight container to enjoy later. Cheesesteak pasta will be good for 3 days in the refrigerator.

    These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing. Due to the 3 kinds of cheese and pasta, I don't recommend freezing this recipe.

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet Fork filled with Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet ready to be eaten.

    What to Serve with this Pasta Skillet

    This Philadelphia cheesesteak pasta recipe is a complete meal on its own. It has pasta, steak, vegetables, and more for a hearty supper. If you wish to have something to serve alongside this amazing dish, here are some favorites of mine that all go well with this one-pan skillet pasta dinner.

    • Ciabatta Bread
    • Vegan Italian Chopped Salad
    • Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
    • Amazing Roasted Green Beans with Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning
    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet overhead of the cast iron ready to serve.

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet 

    Angela
    This fantastic one-pan recipe combines a classic Philly cheesesteak and pasta that any cheese lover will rave about. Thinly shaved beef is tender plus peppers, onions, 3 kinds of cheese, and rotini pasta are cooked together in the skillet for a family-favorite meal. So the next time you crave a Philly cheesesteak, skip the roll and make a pasta dish instead.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6

    Equipment

    • 12" deep cast-iron skillet or large dutch oven

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 pound Trader Joe's Shaved Beef Steak or thinly-sliced ribeye steak
    • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons salted butter
    • 1 cup bell pepper seeded, quartered & thinly sliced
    • 1 small onion quartered & thinly sliced
    • 2 cups beef broth
    • 2 cups water
    • ½ pound rotini pasta ** see the substitution section above for gluten-free & low-carb options
    • 4 ounces cream cheese softened @ room temperature
    • 4 ounces Cheez Whiz or ½ can Easy Cheese Optional BUT YUM!
    • 4-8 slices provolone cheese

    Instructions
     

    • If you want smaller pieces of meat in your skillet dinner, dice up the shaved steak. Set aside. 
    • Heat oil in a large cast-iron pan, or another oven-safe skillet.  Over medium heat, add the shaved beef, and season with black pepper & garlic powder. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the beef, is cooked through.
    • Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir to coat. Remove beef from the pan and set it aside. Do not clean the pan, leave the meat juices. 
    • Add butter to the skillet. Scrape up the bits from cooking the meat. Once melted add the peppers and onions. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, just until they are starting to soften.
    • Add broth and water to the pan.  Turn up the heat to bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and stir to combine.  Turn the heat down to medium. You want the vegetables and pasta to simmer in the liquid. 
      After about 12-15 minutes the pasta should be al dente and most of the liquid will be absorbed.
    • Turn the heat to low.  Add the shaved beef back into the skillet and stir.  Next, add the softened cream cheese & easy cheese/cheez whiz.  Stir to combine. 
    • Top with a layer of the sliced provolone and turn off the stove.  
      Set the oven for a low broil.   Using oven mitts, place the pan in the oven to broil and melt the cheese until bubbly - about 1 minute. This will melt fast so stay and watch it.
      Carefully remove the skillet from the broiler, the pan will be very hot! 
    • Let the skillet sit for a few minutes to set and the cheese cools so it doesn't burn your mouth. Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    This is the nutrition information for the recipe listed above including the Easy Cheese. 
    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 6
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 508
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 27.6g 35%
    Saturated Fat 14.7g 73%
    Cholesterol 104mg 35%
    Sodium 821mg 36%
    Total Carbohydrate 33.4g 12%
    Dietary Fiber 2.1g 8%
    Total Sugars 4g  
    Protein 32.5g  
    Vitamin D 3mcg 13%
    Calcium 305mg 23%
    Iron 4mg 21%
    Potassium 273mg 6%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword easy, kid-friendly, one pan, quick

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Izzie says

      June 18, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      The cheese whiz is a must for it to be really cheese. We did 8 slices of provolone because we love cheese. The kids loved this.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        June 18, 2022 at 4:13 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this and extra cheesy is how I roll sometimes too.

        Reply
    2. Gen says

      June 21, 2022 at 9:50 am

      5 stars
      This is so. good. I am a huge Trader Joe’s fan so I will definitely be adding this beef to my list the next time we want a decadent, cheesy pasta!

      Reply
    3. Shelby says

      June 21, 2022 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      This literally has all the things I love in it haha you took a family favorite sandwich and made it into a full family meal- amazing!

      Reply
    4. Jenn says

      June 22, 2022 at 6:01 am

      5 stars
      This was REALLY good! I loved all the flavors and it was super cheesy - just the way we like it!

      Reply
    5. Glenda says

      June 22, 2022 at 7:54 am

      5 stars
      This is just the kind of hearty, quick-fix supper that stays at the front of my recipe box. It's delicious! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        June 22, 2022 at 9:38 pm

        Thanks for the compliment!

        Reply
    6. Emily says

      June 22, 2022 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      You had me at "philly cheesesteak" because it's my favorite. This combo was easy and it turned out wonderful!

      Reply

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