Garlic Steak Tortellini
Garlic Steak Tortellini is a quick and flavorful dinner combining tender steak bites, creamy cheese tortellini, and a rich garlic-infused cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish delivers restaurant-quality taste with simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights or a comforting family meal.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Not Gluten Free
Protein
- 8 oz sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
Pasta
- 9 oz fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
Sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Steak: Slice steak into thin strips against the grain and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly sear the steak strips for 2-3 minutes per side until browned but still juicy. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions, usually 3-5 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water for later use.
- Make the Garlic Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds, avoiding browning. Lower heat and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for about 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Steak and Tortellini: Return cooked steak strips and drained tortellini to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until desired creaminess is reached.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top and stir lightly. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately, optionally drizzling with extra olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
- Let steak sit at room temperature before cooking for better searing and juicier meat.
- Do not overcook garlic to prevent bitterness; sauté just until fragrant.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and enhance flavor.
- Cook steak in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure a good sear.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or substitute with basil or thyme for different flavor profiles.
- Pre-cooked steak can be added at the end to speed up preparation.
- For dairy-free variation, replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Avoid freezing cream-based sauce dishes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Garlic Steak Tortellini, quick dinner, creamy pasta, steak recipe, weeknight meal, Italian-inspired