Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! There are some recipes that just make you smile. They’re a little wild, a little indulgent, and completely delicious. These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes are exactly that kind of recipe. They take all the best parts of a classic Philly cheesesteak—the tender beef, the melted provolone, and the sautéed peppers and onions—and mash them up with the easy, comforting goodness of a sloppy joe. It’s the perfect solution for when you’re craving a steak sandwich but don’t want to deal with the fuss. This is a one-pan meal that’s fun, fast, and guaranteed to be a huge hit.
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love most about this recipe is how it captures that authentic Philly cheesesteak flavor in a completely new, easy-to-eat format. The combination of savory ground beef with the sweet, colorful bell peppers and onions is a classic for a reason, and the rich, creamy provolone cheese sauce brings it all together in a perfect, messy bite. This recipe is a fantastic way to feed a crowd without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. It’s a complete meal in one skillet, and you can get it on the table in about 30 minutes. It’s comfort food, redefined.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 white onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Meat & Sauce
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (85% lean)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
For the Cheese
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
For Serving
- 8 hoagie rolls or hamburger buns, toasted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Swaps and Notes
- Ground Beef: I prefer 85% lean ground beef for this recipe because it has enough fat for flavor but isn’t overly greasy. You can use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Bell Peppers: Using a mix of colored bell peppers adds a beautiful visual element and a slightly different flavor. You can use just one color if you prefer.
- Cheese: Provolone is the classic choice for a Philly cheesesteak, and it melts beautifully. You could also use American cheese or a slice of Swiss.
- Rolls: Hoagie rolls are the traditional choice, but a toasted hamburger bun works perfectly well for a sloppy joe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped bell peppers and onion. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and starting to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet. Add the ground beef to the other side. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned.
- Drain the Grease: Once the beef is cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet. Stir the cooked beef and vegetables together.
- Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce: Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce and the flavors to meld. Season with salt to taste.
- Toast the Rolls: While the meat is simmering, lightly toast your hoagie rolls or buns.
- Add the Cheese: Turn off the heat under the skillet. Lay the slices of provolone cheese over the top of the meat mixture. Pour the milk over the cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and gooey.
- Serve: Use a spatula to stir the melted cheese into the meat mixture, creating a creamy, cheesy sauce. Spoon the mixture generously onto the toasted rolls and serve immediately.
Tips for Success
- Finely Chop the Vegetables: The finer the chop, the better the vegetables will cook down and blend into the sauce.
- Drain the Grease: Draining the grease is crucial for a clean, savory flavor.
- Toast the Rolls: Don’t skip toasting the rolls! It gives them a great texture and prevents them from getting soggy from the sloppy joe mixture.
- Let it Simmer: Letting the meat mixture simmer for a few minutes helps the flavors develop.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes are a meal in themselves. You can serve them with a side of potato chips, french fries, or a simple coleslaw. For a fun, casual meal, set up a “build your own” station with extra toppings like sliced jalapeños or banana peppers. For a party spread, these would go perfectly with Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter or with a fun walking taco bar.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Leftovers of the meat mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it gently in a skillet on the stovetop. It tastes just as good the next day!
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy easy, cheesy, and satisfying comfort foods, you might also like these other recipes:
- How I turned a classic sandwich into the ultimate cheesy hot dip
- This Dorito Casserole is my favorite weeknight dinner shortcut
- These Sheet Pan Quesadillas are my favorite way to feed a crowd fast
Final Thoughts
These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes are a perfect example of a new classic. They’re a simple, clever mashup that delivers on big, comforting flavor every single time. It’s a fun and easy way to get a fantastic meal on the table, and it’s guaranteed to become a new favorite in your home.
What’s your favorite creative sandwich mashup? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below! Be sure to follow me for more recipes that are as simple as they are delicious.
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes: The Ultimate Sandwich Mashup
Ingredients
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 4 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned.
- Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat and stir in the milk, cooking until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Spoon the beef mixture onto hoagie rolls and top each with slices of provolone cheese.
- Cover the sandwiches with a lid or foil and let them sit until the cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
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