Budget-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak Pasta (Print Version)

Classic Philly cheesesteak flavors meet tender pasta, gooey cheese, and hearty comfort in one simple bake.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta

→ Meats

02 - 1 pound ground beef or thinly sliced beef steak

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauces & Dairy

07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded provolone cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup milk
10 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese

→ Pantry

11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté sliced onions and bell peppers until softened and caramelized, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet; cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary. Season with salt, black pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes if desired.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until melted, then add milk and half of the shredded provolone and mozzarella. Mix until sauce is smooth and creamy.
06 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with the beef and cheese sauce.
07 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining provolone and mozzarella cheeses evenly across the surface.
08 - Bake uncovered for 18 to 22 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling. For a golden finish, broil for 1 to 2 minutes if desired.
09 - Allow the bake to rest for 5 minutes before serving hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses wallet-friendly, everyday ingredients
  • Feeds a hungry crowd and makes great leftovers
  • You get all the Philly cheesesteak flavor with none of the fuss of sandwich assembly
  • Ready in under an hour start to finish
  • Melty cheese and veggies win over kids and adults alike
02 -
  • Perfect for meal prep
  • Great way to stretch a small amount of beef
  • The baked cheese crust is always a highlight
03 -
  • Always slightly undercook your pasta since it will soften further while baking
  • If using steak instead of ground beef, slice it extra thin and sear it just until browned for juicier bites
  • Shredding your own cheese makes a huge difference in melt and creaminess
  • If you want truly restaurant style flavor, drizzle on a bit of extra cheese sauce or lay a few pickled peppers on top before serving

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