Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet

 

This was a completely random weeknight meal idea that really took us all by surprise – I really didn't expect it to come out as good as it did.  I was insanely flavorful and super easy, I whipped it up in less than thirty minutes!

 

I had bought a new pasta, called "Collezione Casarecce", at the store and was dying to use it. It's a thin, barrel-shaped pasta that is really fun to eat.  Am I the only one who thinks a pasta dish can taste completely different depending on the shape of pasta used? For this particular shape, I knew I wanted to use ground beef so I was either going to make a yummy taco pasta dish or this one here – Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet.  I wanted to keep it simple so that the true cheesesteak flavors that I loved were the main focus.  Hearty beef, yummy browned onion, and a flavorful, creamy and of course cheesy sauce.

 

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Package Ground Beef

1 Small Yellow Onion, Diced

1 Clove Garlic, Minced

1 Can Beef Broth

2 Tablespoons Beef Base {or 2-3 Beef Bouillon Cubes}

1 Package Cream Cheese, Softened

2 Cups Shredded Sharp White Cheddar

Parsley for Garnish

 

 

{In a large skillet over medium heat, start sautéing the chopped onion in the olive oil.}

 

{Once the onions begin to sweat a bit, season with a bit of salt and pepper, add in your ground beef and let this get brown.}





{Once the onion and ground beef gets brown and begin to caramelize, add in your minced garlic.}

{Cook this for a minute more.}

{Drain your seasoned beef, onion and garlic mixture to remove the excess moisture.}

{Add the beef mixture back to the pot and add begin to make your beef base mixture.  Add in the beef base. I love using this to flavor hearty dishes.  Adds such a meaty depth of flavor! You could also use beef bouillon in the place of this.}

{Add in your can of beef broth and reduce the heat to low. Let this flavorful mixture cook down and concentrate.}

 

{I also wanted to mention this neat trick that I discovered when I forget to sit the cream cheese {or butter!} on the counter to soften.  Place the unopened package in a bowl of hot tap water for a few minutes. Over time, it softens perfectly. :)}

{Add the softened cream cheese to the beefy/onion and garlic mixture and mix well until it has melted down.}

 

 

{Add in your cooked pasta and mix this well.  I used just shy of a full box of pasta to account for the sauce being absorbed once it's all mixed.}

 



{Next, add your shredded cheddar, and dried parsley {for color!}.}

{Mix this well and let it simmer for just a bit over low heat.} 

{Dish it up and serve warm!  I really loved the texture of this pasta and how it "caught" the cream sauce.  This was so simple, so delicious and it tastes just like a bite of cheesesteak!  This was a big hit.  My husband even mentioned adding sweet peppers in which I think would also be amazing.}

 

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥