Garlic Parmesan Steak Tortellini

Section: Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Families

Enjoy tender cubes of strip steak cooked with sliced onions, zucchini, and grape tomatoes on a hot griddle. The ingredients are combined with fluffy cheese tortellini steamed right on the pan. A creamy garlic Parmesan sauce ties the dish together, topped with shredded Parmesan for extra richness. This meal offers a pleasing balance of textures and bold flavors, prepared quickly with minimal cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Brought to You By iman
Last updated on Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:39:15 GMT
A bowl of pasta with meat and vegetables. Bookmark
A bowl of pasta with meat and vegetables. | imaninthekitchen.com

Tender cubes of strip steak sizzle alongside onions, zucchini, and grape tomatoes on a griddle before being tossed with fluffy cheese tortellini and a rich garlic parmesan sauce. This quick and easy meal delivers comforting, bold flavors all in one pan with minimal cleanup. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying dish without the fuss.

I first pulled this together on a hectic evening when all I had was some leftover steak and a jar of sauce. It quickly became a household favorite that everyone asks for again and again.

Ingredients

  • Strip steaks: juicy and flavorful cuts with nice marbling make the best choice ask your butcher if you want specific recommendations
  • Avocado oil or olive oil: prevents sticking and adds richness cold pressed oils tend to have better flavor and quality
  • Sliced onion: adds a natural sweetness and layers depth yellow onions are a classic option that caramelizes beautifully
  • Large zucchini: brings freshness and a tender bite pick firm squash without blemishes for best texture
  • Grape tomatoes: burst with bright juice and color select plump, unwrinkled tomatoes for peak flavor
  • Frozen cheese tortellini: these hearty pasta pockets soak up the sauce well select brands with simple ingredient lists for better taste
  • Water: to steam the tortellini until perfectly tender without overcooking
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese: salty and nutty flavor from quality Parmigiano Reggiano if you can get it makes all the difference
  • Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic sauce: lends a punchy, creamy finish that ties everything together
  • Heath Rile’s Garlic Butter Seasoning: adds layers of garlic and herb notes you can substitute a good garlic powder blend if needed

Instructions

Prep the Steak and Vegetables:
Cube strip steaks into evenly sized bite pieces so they cook uniformly. Chop zucchini into half moons or quarters and slice onions thinly. Preparing vegetables similarly sized helps them cook evenly on the griddle.
Heat and Season on the Griddle:
Warm your griddle or large skillet over medium heat until hot enough to sear. Add your choice of oil and spread it evenly to coat the surface. Scatter the onions, zucchini, and grape tomatoes onto the griddle. Sprinkle the Garlic Butter Seasoning over the vegetables to start developing layers of flavor.
Sear the Steak:
Add the steak cubes directly to the hot griddle alongside the vegetables. Sprinkle a little more garlic butter seasoning on the steak for extra taste. Let the steak pieces cook undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a nice brown sear before stirring or turning.
Steam the Tortellini:
Place frozen cheese tortellini next to the veggies and steak on the griddle. Pour in about a quarter to half a cup of water. Cover with a lid or dome shaped cover to trap steam. Let cook for three to five minutes until the tortellini are plump and tender but not mushy.
Dress the Tortellini:
Once the tortellini are done steaming stir in the Parmesan Garlic sauce quickly so it coats each piece evenly. Remove the sauced tortellini from the griddle immediately to avoid overcooking as you finish the rest.
Finish the Steak and Veggies:
Give the steak and vegetables another stir and continue cooking until the steak reaches your desired doneness and the veggies are nicely browned but still have some texture.
Combine and Serve:
Plate the sauced tortellini and top with the hot steak and vegetable mixture. Shower with shredded Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for the best creamy, savory experience.
A bowl of food with meat, tomatoes, and pasta.
A bowl of food with meat, tomatoes, and pasta. | imaninthekitchen.com

My youngest always demands extra cheese which has become a fun family tradition.

Storage Tips

Store leftover dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce and avoid drying out the tortellini. Avoid freezing as the texture of the tortellini will suffer and become mushy upon thawing.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap strip steak for sirloin or even chicken breast for a lighter protein option. If you don’t have the garlic butter seasoning any garlic and herb blend will work great in a pinch. Fresh tortellini can replace frozen but reduce cooking time since it will steam much faster.

Serving Suggestions

Serve alongside crusty bread which is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. A crisp green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette pairs well with the richness of the dish. For a touch of heat sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top before serving.

A bowl of food with pasta, meat, and vegetables.
A bowl of food with pasta, meat, and vegetables. | imaninthekitchen.com

This griddle meal comes together quickly and cleans up easily. It balances savory steak tender tortellini and bright vegetables for a hearty weeknight dinner.

Common Questions About the Recipe

→ What cut of steak works best?

Strip steak with good marbling is preferred for juicy, flavorful meat that sears well on the griddle.

→ Can I substitute the tortellini?

Fresh tortellini works well but requires shorter cooking time; other filled pastas may also be used.

→ How do I prevent the steak from overcooking?

Give steak cubes space on the griddle and avoid frequent stirring for a proper sear and desired doneness.

→ What are good alternatives to the garlic butter seasoning?

Any garlic and herb blend, including garlic powder mixed with dried herbs, can provide a similar flavor.

→ How should leftovers be stored and reheated?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

→ Can I add heat to this dish?

Sprinkling red pepper flakes on top before serving adds a nice touch of spice without overpowering the flavors.

Garlic Parmesan Steak Tortellini

Juicy steak, fresh veggies, and cheese tortellini tossed in a savory garlic Parmesan sauce for a quick meal.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
20 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Brought to You By: iman

Recipe Category: Dinner Recipes

Skill Level: Moderately Challenging

Cuisine Origin: American-Italian Fusion

Portions: 3 Serves (3 servings)

Diet Preferences: ~

What You'll Need

→ Proteins

01 8 oz strip steak, cut into bite-sized cubes

→ Vegetables

02 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
03 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half moons or quarters
04 1 cup grape tomatoes

→ Pasta

05 250 g frozen cheese tortellini

→ Oils & Fats

06 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil

→ Sauces & Seasonings

07 1 teaspoon garlic butter seasoning or equivalent garlic powder-herb blend
08 1/3 cup Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic sauce
09 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano Reggiano)

→ Liquids

10 60–120 ml water (for steaming tortellini)

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Cut strip steak into uniform bite-sized cubes. Slice onion thinly. Chop zucchini into half moons or quarters.

Step 02

Heat a large griddle or skillet over medium heat. Coat with oil, then add onions, zucchini, and grape tomatoes. Season evenly with garlic butter seasoning.

Step 03

Add steak cubes to the hot griddle alongside vegetables. Sprinkle additional garlic butter seasoning on steak. Leave undisturbed for 2–3 minutes to develop a brown crust.

Step 04

Place frozen tortellini next to steak and vegetables. Pour 60–120 ml water onto griddle, cover with a lid to trap steam, and cook for 3–5 minutes until tortellini are plump and tender.

Step 05

Remove lid and stir in Parmesan Garlic sauce into tortellini, coating evenly. Transfer tortellini off the heat to avoid overcooking.

Step 06

Stir steak and vegetables, cooking until steak reaches desired doneness and vegetables are browned but maintain texture.

Step 07

Serve sauced tortellini topped with steak and vegetables. Finish with a generous sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm.

Additional Notes

  1. Use real Parmigiano Reggiano for best flavor, and choose a garlic butter seasoning with a balanced herb profile.
  2. Leftovers keep refrigerated up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water to maintain sauce consistency.
  3. Avoid freezing as tortellini texture deteriorates with freezing.

Must-Have Tools

  • Large griddle or skillet
  • Lid or cover for steaming
  • Sharp knife for cubing steak and slicing vegetables

Allergy Details

Always inspect ingredient packaging for allergens, and consult a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains dairy and wheat (tortellini and Parmesan cheese)

Nutritional Details (Per Portion)

Nutritional info is purely informational and not a substitute for medical advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Fats: 30 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 38 g