If you love juicy steak, silky garlic cream sauce, and pillowy cheese tortellini, this Garlic Steak Tortellini is about to become a weekly favorite. It’s rich without being heavy, surprisingly quick, and all made in one pan — perfect for busy nights or when you want something restaurant-worthy at home.
This dish pairs seared steak bites with cheese tortellini in a velvety garlic parmesan cream sauce. A handful of spinach brings color and balance, while fresh herbs and lemon brighten everything up. Whether you’re cooking for date night, a family dinner, or meal-prep, this Italian pasta delivers comfort and flavor in every bite.
Roadmap: How This Recipe Comes Together
Think of this as your step-by-step cooking plan:
1️⃣ Season & Sear the Steak
Pat the steak dry to help it brown. Season generously with salt, pepper, and a touch of paprika. Sear in a hot skillet until the edges caramelize and the center stays tender. Remove to a plate — it will finish later in the sauce.
2️⃣ Build the Garlic Cream Base
Lower the heat, melt butter, and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add a splash of broth to lift the browned bits (that’s flavor!). Stir in cream and parmesan to create a creamy garlic sauce that clings beautifully to pasta.
3️⃣ Cook the Tortellini in the Sauce
Add the cheese tortellini directly into the pan. Let it simmer gently so it absorbs flavor while it cooks — no extra pot needed.
4️⃣ Bring It All Together
Return the steak bites, toss in sautéed spinach, and let everything warm through. Finish with lemon, fresh parsley, and extra parmesan.
Serve immediately — the sauce thickens as it sits and becomes even more luxurious.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Steak Tortellini
One-pan pasta means fewer dishes and faster cleanup.
The garlic cream sauce feels gourmet but uses pantry staples.
Seared steak adds protein and savory depth.
Works with ribeye, sirloin, strip steak — even leftovers.
Ready in under 30 minutes, yet tastes like a special-occasion meal.
It’s the perfect balance of cozy, creamy, and deeply satisfying.
Tips & Simple Swaps
Lighten it up: Use half-and-half, and add more broth if needed.
Extra veggies: Mushrooms, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes fit right in.
No tortellini? Use ravioli or cooked linguine tossed at the end.
More garlic flavor: Roast a head of garlic and mash it into the sauce.
Taste as you go — the best pastas are finished with a pinch of salt, fresh pepper, and acidity.
What to Serve With It
This pasta shines with:
A crisp side salad
Warm crusty bread (to swipe up the sauce!)
Roasted broccoli or asparagus
And yes — it reheats wonderfully for lunch the next day.
FAQs
Can I use frozen tortellini?
Yes — just cook a few minutes longer and add a bit more liquid if needed.
What steak works best?
Sirloin is budget-friendly, while ribeye gives extra richness.
Can I lighten the sauce?
Swap half the cream for milk and add extra broth as needed.
Final Thoughts
With its juicy steak, cheesy pasta, and creamy garlic sauce, Garlic Steak Tortellini feels like the best parts of steak night and pasta night combined. It’s flavorful, comforting, and shockingly simple — the kind of meal you’ll keep in rotation because it always delivers. Serve it once, and it’s almost guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Garlic Steak Tortellini
Ingredients
- 1 lb sirloin or ribeye steak cut into cubes
- 1 tsp salt divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 18 –20 oz cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh spinach optional
- Pinch crushed red pepper optional
Instructions
- Season steak with 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high; sear steak 2–3 minutes per side. Remove.
- Lower heat, melt butter, and cook garlic 30–45 seconds.
- Add broth and simmer 2 minutes.
- Stir in cream and Parmesan and cook until slightly thickened.
- Add tortellini and simmer 4–6 minutes, stirring.
- Return steak to the pan; fold in spinach if using.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve.
