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The 25-Minute Dinner Your Kids Will Beg You to Make Again

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    Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes – all the cheesy, beefy, peppery goodness of two classic sandwiches packed into a quick and messy weeknight favorite. It’s cheesy, saucy, and just messy enough to make you feel like a kid again, the kind of meal that doesn’t require a knife, fork, or even a plan.

    Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe with a bite taken out, showing the cheesy, saucy beef filling with peppers and onions on a soft sesame bun.

    Joanna Cismaru 2022 blogger Jo Cooks

    Messy, Cheesy, and Totally Worth It

    This Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe is the kind of sandwich that requires extra napkins. It’s juicy, cheesy, a little messy (or a lot), and completely irresistible. Basically everything I want in comfort food.

    This is the kind of dinner that doesn’t need fancy sides or extra effort. It’s fast, hearty, and wildly comforting. Plus, there’s something so fun about piling that saucy, cheesy beef mixture onto soft buns and watching it melt together into a sandwich that’s impossible to eat politely.

    Side angle of a skillet filled with saucy ground beef, peppers, and onions topped with gooey melted provolone cheese for Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes.
    process shots showing how to make philly cheesesteak sloppy joes.

    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until it’s no longer pink and nicely browned. If there’s a lot of grease, drain the excess before moving on.

    process shots showing how to make philly cheesesteak sloppy joes.

    Toss in the chopped onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and minced garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and start to caramelize. This step builds tons of flavor, so don’t rush it.

    process shots showing how to make philly cheesesteak sloppy joes.

    Stir in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the beef broth until smooth, then pour it into the skillet. Season everything with salt and black pepper. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef mixture.

    process shots showing how to make philly cheesesteak sloppy joes.

    Lay the provolone slices right over the meat mixture and cover the pan for about a minute. Once the cheese melts, stir gently to mix it all together into one glorious, cheesy filling.

    process shots showing how to make philly cheesesteak sloppy joes.

    Spoon the beef mixture generously onto the hamburger buns. Serve them warm, maybe with a side of fries or a crisp salad if you’re feeling virtuous. And yes, you’ll need extra napkins.

    Substitutions

    • Ground beef: If you’re looking for something lighter, try ground turkey or chicken. You can also use a plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian option.
    • Cheese: Sweet, mozzarella, white cheddar or American cheese are all great options.
    • Veggies: Any color pepper works, or swap it for a poblano for a smoky flavor.
    • Mushrooms: These are optional but I really like them for their meaty texture. However, if you’re not a fan, just leave them out or used diced zucchini instead.
    • Buns: Brioche, pretzel buns, or crusty rolls. In a pinch, scoop the filling onto toasted sandwich bread or serve it open faced.
    Close-up of a Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe on a sesame bun topped with melted provolone cheese and garnished with fresh parsley.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make these ahead of time?

    Yes, and they’re perfect for meal prep. Cook the beef mixture as directed, let it cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until hot. Add a splash of beef broth if it thickened too much in the fridge.

    Can I freeze Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes?

    Absolutely. The filling freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove before serving.

    How can I make these spicier?

    Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce with the sauce ingredients. You can also top the sandwiches with pickled jalapeños for extra heat.

    Can I make them low-carb?

    Yes. Skip the buns and serve the filling over roasted vegetables, cauliflower rice, or in lettuce wraps for a lighter version that’s still full of flavor.

    Skillet filled with cheesy ground beef, bell peppers, onions, and melted provolone for Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes, ready to spoon onto buns.

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    Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe with a bite taken out, showing the cheesy, saucy beef filling with peppers and onions on a soft sesame bun.

    Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

    Prep 10 minutes

    Cook 15 minutes

    Total 25 minutes

    These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes are messy, cheesy, and ridiculously satisfying, everything a comfort food sandwich should be. Loaded with seasoned beef, peppers, onions, and gooey provolone, they’re a faster, easier twist on the classic Philly cheesesteak that’s ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, game day dinners, or anytime you want a crowd pleasing meal with minimal effort.

    Instructions 

    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if needed.

    • Stir in onion, bell pepper, mushrooms (if using), and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until veggies soften.

    • Stir in ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk cornstarch into beef broth, then pour into skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.

    • Lay provolone slices over the meat mixture. Cover pan and let cheese melt, about 1 minute. Stir gently to combine.

    • Spoon mixture onto hamburger buns and serve warm.

    Notes

    1. Make ahead: The beef mixture can be cooked up to 4 days in advance. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to bring it back to life.
    2. Freezer friendly: Cool the filling completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
    3. Cheese options: Provolone is classic, but mozzarella, Swiss, white cheddar, or American cheese all melt beautifully.
    4. Customize the veggies: Bell peppers and onions are traditional, but you can add mushrooms, jalapeños, or even spinach for a twist.

    Nutrition Information

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 459kcal (23%)Carbohydrates: 31g (10%)Protein: 34g (68%)Fat: 22g (34%)Saturated Fat: 9g (56%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 87mg (29%)Sodium: 898mg (39%)Potassium: 721mg (21%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 321IU (6%)Vitamin C: 28mg (34%)Calcium: 237mg (24%)Iron: 5mg (28%)

    Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

    Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe with a bite taken out, showing the cheesy, saucy beef filling with peppers and onions on a soft sesame bun.

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