Name: Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef (85/15 recommended); 1 small onion, thinly sliced; 1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 cup beef broth; 6 hoagie rolls or hamburger buns; 6-12 slices provolone cheese (1-2 per sandwich)

Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes bring together two beloved comfort food classics in one irresistible sandwich. This genius mashup combines the savory, beefy goodness of a traditional Philly cheese steak with the casual, handheld ease of a sloppy joe.

When you’re craving something hearty but don’t have time for a full-on cheese steak adventure, this 45-minute wonder delivers all those familiar flavors in a weeknight-friendly package. The combination of seasoned ground beef, sautéed peppers and onions, and melty provolone cheese piled high on a toasted bun will have everyone at the table asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This

Ready in just 45 minutes from start to finish
Uses ground beef instead of steak, making it budget-friendly
One-pan preparation means minimal cleanup
Kid-friendly while still sophisticated enough for adults
Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (85/15 recommended)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup beef broth
6 hoagie rolls or hamburger buns
6-12 slices provolone cheese (1-2 per sandwich)

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula, until it is fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. If needed, drain any excess grease from the pan, leaving just a small amount for flavor.
While the beef is cooking, prepare your vegetables. Thinly slice the onion and green bell pepper into strips, similar to a traditional Philly cheesesteak. Mince the garlic cloves finely. Having these ready will help the cooking process move quickly.
Once the beef is fully cooked, transfer it to a bowl or plate and set aside. Leave any remaining juices in the pan for additional flavor when cooking the vegetables.
Add the tablespoon of butter to the same skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the sliced onions, green peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onions become translucent.
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, cornstarch, and beef broth until well combined and the cornstarch is fully dissolved. This creates the flavorful sauce that will bind all the ingredients together.
Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Return the cooked ground beef to the pan and stir everything together. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat and vegetables nicely.
If desired, lightly toast the hoagie rolls or buns by placing them cut-side up under the broiler for about 1 minute, watching carefully to prevent burning. This step is optional but helps the bread hold up to the saucy filling.
Place one slice of provolone on the bottom half of each roll if you like cheese on both sides. Spoon a generous portion of the hot meat and vegetable mixture onto each roll, dividing it evenly among all six sandwiches. Top each with another slice of provolone cheese.
Place the assembled open-faced sandwiches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching very closely, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and starting to brown slightly around the edges. Be careful not to let the bread burn, as broilers work quickly.
Remove from the broiler, close the sandwiches if desired, and serve immediately while hot and gooey. Have plenty of napkins ready – these are deliciously messy!

Tips & Variations

For an authentic Philly touch, substitute provolone with Cheez Whiz or American cheese
Add sliced mushrooms along with the peppers and onions for extra flavor and texture
Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to beef
For spicy Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes, add a dash of hot sauce or sliced jalapeños
Make the meat mixture ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve
Try serving on garlic toast instead of hamburger buns for an extra flavor boost

Serving Suggestions

These Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes pair perfectly with crispy french fries, potato chips, or a simple side salad. For a complete diner-style experience, serve with pickle spears and coleslaw on the side.

If you’re feeling indulgent, add some caramelized onions on top or serve with a small bowl of extra beef broth for dipping, similar to a French dip sandwich.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
The sauce should be thick enough to stay on the bun but still moist and saucy
For meal prep, store the meat mixture and buns separately until ready to serve
If the mixture becomes too thick upon reheating, add a splash of beef broth

FAQs

Can I freeze the Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joe mixture?
Yes! The meat mixture freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of beef broth if needed.

What’s the best type of bun to use?
While traditional hamburger buns work great, brioche buns or hoagie rolls can make this dish even more special. Just make sure they’re sturdy enough to hold the saucy filling.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Brown the meat and vegetables first, then transfer to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients (except cheese and buns). Cook on low for 3-4 hours, add cheese before serving.

How can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free hamburger buns and verify your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free (many brands are not). Also, ensure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free.

Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

Recipe by Feel Tasty

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Servings6

Prep5 min

Cook20 min

Calories450 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (85/15 recommended)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup beef broth
6 hoagie rolls or hamburger buns
6-12 slices provolone cheese (1-2 per sandwich)

Steps

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula, until it is fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. If needed, drain any excess grease from the pan, leaving just a small amount for flavor.
While the beef is cooking, prepare your vegetables. Thinly slice the onion and green bell pepper into strips, similar to a traditional Philly cheesesteak. Mince the garlic cloves finely. Having these ready will help the cooking process move quickly.
Once the beef is fully cooked, transfer it to a bowl or plate and set aside. Leave any remaining juices in the pan for additional flavor when cooking the vegetables.
Add the tablespoon of butter to the same skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the sliced onions, green peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onions become translucent.
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, cornstarch, and beef broth until well combined and the cornstarch is fully dissolved. This creates the flavorful sauce that will bind all the ingredients together.
Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Return the cooked ground beef to the pan and stir everything together. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat and vegetables nicely.
If desired, lightly toast the hoagie rolls or buns by placing them cut-side up under the broiler for about 1 minute, watching carefully to prevent burning. This step is optional but helps the bread hold up to the saucy filling.
Place one slice of provolone on the bottom half of each roll if you like cheese on both sides. Spoon a generous portion of the hot meat and vegetable mixture onto each roll, dividing it evenly among all six sandwiches. Top each with another slice of provolone cheese.
Place the assembled open-faced sandwiches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching very closely, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and starting to brown slightly around the edges. Be careful not to let the bread burn, as broilers work quickly.
Remove from the broiler, close the sandwiches if desired, and serve immediately while hot and gooey. Have plenty of napkins ready – these are deliciously messy!