Satisfy those Philly cheesesteak cravings with a ground beef version that still packs all the iconic flavors in a more budget-friendly form. It's somewhere between a sloppy joe and a traditional cheesesteak and boy is it delicious. It's ready in 30 minutes!
For a traditional experience, check out our recipe for one Authentic Philly Cheesesteak.
Why our recipe?
- All the classic Philly cheesesteak flavors you love using ground beef.
- Ready in 30 minutes or less and budget-friendly.
- Choose and mix your cheese and match all your favorite cheesesteak toppings.
They're incredibly easy to make for a crowd, use budget-friendly ingredients, and come together quickly for a delicious meal. You can load up on your choice of cheese – provolone, American or even a classic cheese whiz – and all the toppings you like. Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, jalapeños. The sky is the limit! Trust me, everyone will be back for seconds!
Material notes
- Ground Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor and texture, or lean. Just be sure to drain excess grease as needed.
- Onions: Use yellow onion or white onion. Slice it thinly or cut it short if you want it to blend more with the texture of the ground beef.
- the green Pepper: Slice them thinly or cut them short if you want it to blend more with the texture of the ground beef. Try using red, yellow or orange bell peppers for a little extra sweetness.
- Cream Cheese: Cut into cubes so it melts more evenly. Use full-fat or low-fat cream cheese.
- Bun: Brioche buns are our favorite, but any bun will work. You can also use a hoagie bun for a traditional cheesesteak vibe. Toast for good texture.
- Cheese: We like provolone, but you can also use American, or go full Philly and use cheese whiz.
Ground beef substitute
We recommend This recipe uses 80/20 ground beef. The extra fat enhances the flavor and adds just enough juice to mix with the cream cheese for a perfectly saucy texture.
If you prefer a leaner option, Like 90/10, that works too. You can even try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter twist, but keep in mind the taste will be slightly different.
remember Using ground beef with a higher fat content will create more fat, which you'll need to spoon out to keep your sloppy joes from being too fatty.
Bun option
We recommend using the brioche-style hamburger buns because they toast up so nicely and are buttery, sweet and soft. Traditional sesame seed buns, potato buns, Hawaiian buns, or regular hamburger buns also work well.
If you're going for a more traditional cheesesteak vibe, hoagie rolls are the way to go. They are firmer and can hold all the delicious fillings without falling apart.
Whichever you choose, be sure to toast them—it adds a savory touch and helps keep the buns topped with sloppy joes from getting soggy.
How to make toast buns
Toasting your buns gives them a crispy edge and helps hold all the juicy filling without getting soggy. This is an optional step, but we recommend taking the extra few minutes to do it.
Stovetop: Heat a dry pan on medium heat. Cut the buns in half and place them side down in the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Broiler: Preheat your oven's broiler to high. Place the buns cut-side down on a baking sheet and place under the broiler. Keep a close eye on them and toast for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned.
toaster: For a quick alternative, use a toaster if your buns are suitable Slice them in half and toast them on a low to medium setting to prevent burning.
The cheesesteak pairs perfectly with Sloppy Joe's chips, French fries or tater tots. For a more complete meal, add Coleslaw And Baked beans To take it to the next level.
Storage and reheating instructions
Refrigerate leftovers Store the beef mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
to freeze Let the beef mixture cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or reusable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat on stove Heat a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Reheat in microwave In a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each one until heated through.
