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Buttery Steak Tortellini

Tender beef chunks seared in garlic butter with cheese tortellini in a rich Parmesan cream sauce for an impressive 30-minute dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs beef chunks sirloin or ribeye, cut into 1-1.5 inch pieces
  • 5 tablespoons butter divided
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 (20 oz) pack cheese-filled tortellini fresh or frozen
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated preferred
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Olive oil for tossing tortellini

Equipment

  • Large pot for pasta
  • large skillet
  • tongs
  • wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Fill large pot with water, add generous tablespoon of salt, and bring to rolling boil. Add cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions, typically 7-9 minutes. Drain well and immediately toss with drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, cut beef into bite-sized chunks about 1 to 1.5 inches across if not already cubed. Pat completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper on all sides.
  3. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons butter. When butter melts and foams, add crushed garlic. Let sizzle about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add beef chunks in single layer without crowding. Work in batches if needed.
  4. Let beef cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until golden-brown crust forms on bottom. Flip each piece and cook another 2-3 minutes on second side for medium-rare to medium. Transfer cooked beef to plate, leaving garlic butter in skillet.
  5. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to skillet with garlic butter. Let melt completely. Pour in heavy cream and use wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from bottom of pan.
  6. Bring cream to gentle bubble, then reduce heat slightly to maintain light simmer. Gradually sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese while stirring constantly. Keep stirring for 5-7 minutes as cheese melts completely and sauce thickens to coat back of spoon. Sauce should be smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  7. Add cooked tortellini to skillet with sauce. Gently fold them in using tongs or large spoon, making sure every piece gets coated. Let cook together about 1 minute so flavors meld and tortellini absorbs some sauce. Pasta should look glossy and luxurious.
  8. Divide creamy tortellini among four plates or shallow bowls. Arrange beef chunks on top, distributing evenly. Drizzle any remaining sauce from skillet over top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Beef Selection: Sirloin or ribeye work best for tender, flavorful results. Ribeye has more marbling for extra juiciness. Avoid tougher cuts like chuck or round. Cut into uniform 1-1.5 inch pieces for even cooking.
Drying Beef: Pat beef completely dry before seasoning. Moisture prevents proper browning and can cause steaming instead of searing.
Cooking Beef: Don't overcrowd pan when searing—cook in single layer for best browning. Cook to medium-rare or medium for most tender results. Beef continues cooking from residual heat after removal.
Garlic Butter Base: Leave garlic butter in pan after removing beef. This becomes flavorful base for cream sauce.
Cheese Quality: Use freshly grated Parmesan from block for smoothest sauce. Pre-grated contains anti-caking agents that can make sauce grainy.
Sauce Consistency: Keep heat at medium when making cream sauce. High heat can cause sauce to break. Add cheese gradually while stirring constantly for smooth texture.
Tortellini Options: Fresh or frozen both work—follow package directions for cooking time. Fresh typically cooks faster (3-5 minutes).
Protein Swaps: Use chicken breast or shrimp instead of beef. Cook chicken same way as beef. Cook shrimp just 2 minutes per side until pink.
Vegetable Additions: Add cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or spinach. Heartier vegetables go in with cream, delicate ones fold in at end.
Spice Options: Add red pepper flakes to garlic butter for warmth. Finish with fresh black pepper for more pronounced spice.
Pasta Alternatives: Try fettuccine, penne, or gnocchi if no tortellini available. Sauce works with any pasta shape.
Lighter Version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Won't be as thick but still delicious. Reduce butter by 1-2 tablespoons.
Storage: Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days. Sauce thickens as it cools.
Reheating: Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup cream or milk when reheating on stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir frequently. For microwave, heat at 50% power in 1-minute intervals with added liquid.
Thin Sauce Fix: Simmer longer to reduce naturally, or add extra 1/4 cup Parmesan and stir until melted.