The Best Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Bake Recipe for Comfort Food Fans

Philly cheesesteak pasta bake brings together two classic comfort foods in a mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Hearty and creamy, this dish crafts traditional sandwich flavors into a satisfying casserole that warms the soul.

Tender strips of savory beef mingle with caramelized onions and bell peppers, creating a rich and indulgent experience.

Melted cheese blankets perfectly cooked pasta, promising a delightful texture in every single bite.

The combination feels like a brilliant mashup of neighborhood deli and home-style cooking, offering something familiar yet wonderfully unexpected.

Robust ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering a crowd-pleasing meal that sparks conversation and brings people together at the dinner table.

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner with this irresistible fusion of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Philly Pasta Bake Quick Take

• Reimagine Classic Comfort: Transform the beloved Philly cheesesteak into a hearty pasta dish that brings together familiar flavors in a surprising, delicious way.
• Quick and Satisfying Weeknight Meal: Prepare this one-pan wonder in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a protein-packed dinner without complicated cooking steps.
• Creamy Cheese-Loaded Goodness: Enjoy the rich, melty provolone cheese topping that creates a golden, crispy layer over the tender pasta and savory meat mixture, delivering an irresistible combination of textures and flavors.
• Customize to Your Taste: Easily swap ground beef for steak strips or adjust vegetables to match your preferences, making this recipe a flexible favorite that adapts to your kitchen's ingredients.

Philly Pasta Bake Ingredient Rundown

Main Ingredients:

Pasta: – Pasta: Perfect base for capturing delicious flavors and creating a hearty meal. Short pasta shapes work best for easy mixing.

Beef: – Ground Beef, Steak Strips: Classic protein that delivers authentic Philly cheesesteak taste. High-quality beef with good marbling ensures maximum flavor.

• Green Bell Pepper, Onion: Traditional cheesesteak vegetables that provide crunch and aromatic base. Fresh, crisp vegetables enhance overall dish texture.
• Garlic: Adds depth and robust flavor to the entire dish. Fresh garlic cloves recommended for most intense taste.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, rich sauce that binds ingredients together. Room temperature cream cheese melts more easily.
• Provolone Cheese: Classic cheesesteak cheese that provides melty, golden topping. Sharp provolone offers more intense flavor.
• Beef Broth: Adds moisture and enhances meat's savory profile. Low-sodium broth allows better seasoning control.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and prevent sticking. Extra virgin olive oil provides best flavor.

How to Make Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Boil pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside for later use in the dish.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetable Blend

• Diced green bell pepper
• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Sauté until vegetables become tender and fragrant.

Step 3: Cook Protein

Add ground beef or steak strips to the skillet with sautéed vegetables. Cook completely until meat is fully browned and no pink remains.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Cream cheese
• Beef broth

Mix until sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Fold in cooked pasta, ensuring even coating.

Step 5: Bake and Cheese Topping

Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle provolone cheese generously across the top. Broil in oven until cheese melts, turns golden, and becomes bubbly.

Serving Tip: Let dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set and flavors to meld together.

Tips for Savory Pasta Flavor

• Select the Right Pasta: Choose short, sturdy pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni that can hold the creamy sauce and meat without falling apart.
• Brown Meat Perfectly: Pat the meat dry before cooking to ensure a golden-brown crust and prevent steaming, which develops deeper flavor.
• Layer Cheese Strategically: Mix some provolone into the pasta before topping, creating pockets of melted cheese throughout the dish.
• Control Moisture Carefully: If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash of beef broth or pasta water to maintain a creamy consistency.
• Broil with Precision: Watch the cheese closely while broiling to achieve a golden, bubbly top without burning – typically 2-3 minutes is ideal.

Store and Reheat Cheesesteak Pasta

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store your Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Bake in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the dish sealed tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Alternatively, restore the pasta's original creamy texture by adding a splash of beef broth before reheating to prevent dryness.
• Freeze Option: Wrap the pasta bake securely in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the dish's delicious flavors and creamy consistency.

Serve Philly Pasta with This

• Craft a Hearty Beer Pairing: Select a robust amber ale or crisp lager that complements the rich, meaty flavors of the Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Bake. The beer's maltiness will balance the creamy cheese and savory beef perfectly.
• Create a Zesty Side Salad: Whip up a tangy arugula salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the dish's richness. Fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of parmesan will brighten the entire meal.
• Pour a Bold Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel to enhance the beef's deep flavors. The wine's acidity will help cleanse the palate between each cheesy, meaty bite.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Prepare crispy garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce and add an extra layer of flavor. The crunchy texture will provide a delightful contrast to the soft pasta bake.

Cheesesteak Pasta Variations

• Spicy Southwest Pasta Blast: Replace bell peppers with jalapeños and add taco seasoning for a zesty kick. Swap provolone with pepper jack cheese to enhance the heat and flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Cheesesteak Style: Use ground lamb instead of beef and incorporate feta cheese. Add chopped kalamata olives and dried oregano to bring Mediterranean flavors into the pasta bake.
• Mushroom Lovers' Cheesesteak Pasta: Include sliced cremini or portobello mushrooms during the sautéing stage. Replace cream cheese with Swiss cheese for an earthy, rich undertone and sprinkle with fresh thyme.
• Lighter Chicken Option: Substitute ground beef with lean chicken breast or chicken strips. Use low-fat cream cheese and reduce the amount of cheese topping to create a healthier version of the classic recipe.

Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Philly cheesesteak pasta bake brings classic sandwich flavors into a hearty comfort meal. Melted provolone, tender beef strips, and caramelized onions meld together in a creamy pasta casserole that satisfies deeper cravings with zero compromise.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef or steak strips

Vegetables:

• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese and Dairy:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded provolone cheese

Pasta and Liquid:

• 12 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
• 1 cup beef broth

Seasonings and Oil:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta in a large pot of salted water, cooking to al dente perfection according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes). Drain thoroughly and set aside, ensuring no excess water remains.
2. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Add finely chopped green bell peppers, diced onions, and minced garlic, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until vegetables become translucent and slightly caramelized.
3. Introduce beef strips or ground beef to the vegetable mixture, breaking down the meat into small, uniform pieces. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring consistently until meat reaches a rich, golden-brown color and is completely cooked through.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and incorporate cream cheese and beef broth into the skillet. Gently stir until the mixture develops a smooth, creamy texture with no visible cream cheese lumps.
5. Fold the reserved pasta into the meat and vegetable mixture, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Distribute the combined ingredients into a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish.
6. Sprinkle provolone cheese generously across the top, covering the entire surface. Position the dish under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning, until cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
7. Remove from oven and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving, which helps the sauce set and enhances overall flavor integration.

Notes

• Pasta perfection requires cooking just until al dente to maintain a slight bite and prevent mushiness during baking.
• Choose high-quality beef strips or ground beef with good marbling for maximum flavor and tender meat texture.
• Cream cheese creates a luxurious, smooth sauce that binds all ingredients together, delivering authentic Philly cheesesteak vibes.
• Broiling transforms the dish with golden, bubbling provolone cheese that adds rich, melty goodness to every single bite.
• Bell peppers and onions provide classic cheesesteak vegetable foundation, bringing authentic Philly sandwich inspiration to this comforting pasta bake.
• One-skillet method simplifies cooking process, reducing cleanup and allowing flavors to develop seamlessly throughout the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4