If you love all things savory, cheesy, and packed with bold flavors, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes Recipe. This dish takes the classic sloppy joe to a whole new level by infusing it with the iconic flavors of a Philly cheesesteak. Tender ground beef mingles with sautéed peppers and onions, all smothered in melted provolone cheese, creating a sensational sandwich experience that’s perfect for family dinners or game day gatherings. It’s comfort food with a twist, guaranteed to get everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes Recipe shines because of how simple yet thoughtfully chosen the ingredients are. Each component plays a vital role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that bring this sandwich to life.
- 1 pound ground beef: The hearty base that’s juicy and flavorful, delivering that classic sloppy joe heft.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps tenderize the vegetables and keeps everything from sticking to the pan.
- 1 green bell pepper (diced): Adds a subtle sweetness and vibrant green color for freshness.
- 1 medium onion (diced): Brings natural sweetness and depth as it softens during cooking.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): Infuses a warm aroma and a little zing that rounds out the savory profile.
- 1/4 cup beef broth: Adds moisture and richness to the mixture without overpowering.
- 1/4 cup ketchup: Introduces a tangy note and balances the savory flavors with a hint of sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: Brings umami complexity that’s essential in any great sloppy joe.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Enhances the meatiness with a subtle salty depth.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Thickens the sauce so it clings perfectly to the beef and veggies.
- 1 tablespoon water: Used to create a smooth slurry for thickening the sauce evenly.
- 6 slices provolone cheese: Melts beautifully over the beef, adding creamy, mild cheesiness.
- 4-6 hamburger buns (toasted): The sturdy yet soft vessel to hold your sloppy joe masterpiece.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Simple seasoning that elevates every bite.
How to Make Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and break it apart with a spoon as it browns evenly. Cooking it thoroughly and draining any excess fat here is key to keeping your sloppy joe juicy but not greasy. This step lays the flavorful foundation for the whole dish.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Next, toss in the diced green bell pepper and onion with the browned beef. Let them soften and mingle for about 5 to 7 minutes. Just before they’re perfectly tender, add the minced garlic and cook for an extra 1 to 2 minutes to release that irresistible aroma. These veggies are what give your sloppy joes a beautiful balance of sweetness and texture.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Pour this vibrant sauce over your beef and veggies. Stir everything together to make sure every morsel is coated. This sauce combines tangy, savory, and umami flavors that transform the ground beef into something extraordinary.
Step 4: Thicken the Mixture
Take a tablespoon of cornstarch and mix it with water to create a slurry. Stir this into your skillet, which will thicken the sauce in just a few minutes, giving it that perfect cling to your meat and veggies. Season with salt and pepper to taste here, making sure the flavor hits just right before moving on.
Step 5: Melt the Cheese
Now comes the fun part: layering the provolone slices atop your savory mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and allow the cheese to melt luxuriously over the beef. The creamy texture and gentle flavor of provolone elevate the sloppy joe into something reminiscent of the beloved Philly cheese steak taste.
Step 6: Assemble the Sloppy Joes
Finally, spoon the cheesy beef mixture generously onto your toasted hamburger buns. The toast adds a slight crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender filling. Be generous here; sloppy joes deserve to be messy and mouthwatering.
Step 7: Serve
Serve your Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes immediately while everything is warm and melty for the most satisfying bite. This recipe is perfect for sharing and sure to impress anyone lucky enough to get a sandwich.
How to Serve Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a simple garnish can push your sloppy joes to the next level. Try fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of sliced green onions for a pop of color and fresh bite. If you like a little heat, adding a few dashes of hot sauce or sliced jalapeños complements the richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
Sloppy joes are undeniably hearty, so pairing them with light, crispy sides works beautifully. Classic coleslaw offers a crisp, tangy counterpoint, while homemade sweet potato fries deliver a touch of sweetness and crunch. A fresh green salad also balances this meal if you want to keep things on the lighter side.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Serve your Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes open-faced with a knife and fork for a more elegant spin. You can also stuff the cheesy beef mixture inside bell pepper halves or alongside crispy waffle fries to turn this crowd-pleaser into a fun party platter. No matter how you serve it, this recipe wins over hungry guests every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes mixture in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Keeping it chilled ensures all those rich flavors stay fresh and ready to reheat whenever you’re craving a quick, delicious meal.
Freezing
This recipe freezes wonderfully. Just let the beef mixture cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It will keep well for up to 3 months, so you can always have a delicious dinner on hand for busy nights without sacrificing any flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the fridge then warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of beef broth if the mixture seems dry. Once heated through, go ahead and melt in a slice of provolone cheese for maximum cheesiness before piling it onto your buns.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese?
Absolutely! While provolone is classic and melts beautifully, you can swap in mozzarella, cheddar, or even a spicy pepper jack for a different flavor profile. Just choose a cheese that melts well to keep that gooey, comforting texture.
Is ground beef the only meat option?
Ground beef is traditional, but you can experiment with ground turkey or even ground chicken for a leaner option. Adjust seasoning and cooking times accordingly to maintain flavor and texture.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Definitely! Just swap the hamburger buns for gluten-free versions and check that Worcestershire and soy sauces are gluten-free (tamari works well). The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
How spicy is this Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes Recipe?
This recipe is mild by default, focusing on savory, cheesy, and tangy flavors. If you love spice, feel free to add hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or chopped jalapeños when sautéing the veggies.
What’s the best way to toast the buns?
For perfectly toasted buns, lightly butter them and warm on a hot skillet or griddle until golden brown. This adds flavor and prevents the buns from soaking up too much sauce from the sloppy joe filling.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say this Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes Recipe is destined to become a fast favorite in your household. It’s cozy, cheesy, and bursting with all the flavors you crave from a Philly cheesesteak, but with the fun, nostalgic twist of a sloppy joe. The best part? It’s so quick and easy you can whip it up any night of the week. Give it a try soon — I promise you won’t regret it!
Print
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes recipe combines the classic flavors of a Philly cheesesteak with the easy-to-eat comfort of sloppy joes. Ground beef is cooked with sautéed green bell peppers, onions, and garlic, then simmered in a savory sauce made with beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. The mixture is thickened with a cornstarch slurry and topped with melted provolone cheese before being served on toasted hamburger buns. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that packs a flavorful punch.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- 4–6 hamburger buns, toasted
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat to keep the mixture lean.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced green bell pepper and onion to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, enhancing the dish’s aroma.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the beef and vegetables, stirring well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Thicken the Mixture: In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry. Stir this slurry into the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens to a saucy consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Melt the Cheese: Lay the slices of provolone cheese over the beef mixture in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese melts perfectly, creating a gooey topping.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the cheesy beef mixture generously onto the toasted hamburger buns, ensuring each sandwich is loaded for maximum flavor.
- Serve: Serve the Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes immediately while warm for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- You can substitute provolone cheese with mozzarella or Swiss cheese if preferred.
- To make it spicier, add some sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- For a lower-carb version, serve the mixture over lettuce wraps instead of buns.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave before serving to maintain the cheese melt.
