Of course! This is a fantastic and beloved mash-up recipe. It takes the classic, messy comfort of a Sloppy Joe and infuses it with the iconic flavors of a Philly Cheesesteak.
Here’s a detailed recipe that is sure to become a weeknight favorite.
The Ultimate Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and delivers that perfect, savory, cheesy, and satisfying flavor you’re looking for.
Yields: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Sloppy Joe Mixture:
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1 pound ground beef (85/15 is ideal for flavor)
· 1 small onion, finely diced
· 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
· 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced (for color and sweetness)
· 8 oz (about 2 cups) cremini or white mushrooms, finely chopped
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
· 1 cup beef broth
· 2 tablespoons ketchup
· 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or just dried oregano)
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Sauce:
· 1 tablespoon butter
· 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
· ¾ cup whole milk
· 1 ½ cups shredded provolone cheese (or a provolone/mild white cheddar mix)
· Pinch of salt and pepper
For Serving:
· 4-6 soft burger buns or hoagie rolls
· Optional toppings: sliced pickled jalapeños, hot sauce, extra sautéed onions & peppers
Instructions:
- Cook the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and bell peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes, until they begin to soften. Add the chopped mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the mushrooms have released their liquid. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. Scoot the vegetable mixture to the sides of the pan.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the center of the pan. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease if necessary.
- Make the Sloppy Joe Base: Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon of flour over the meat and vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, and add the ketchup and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened significantly. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: While the Sloppy Joe mixture is simmering, make a quick cheese sauce in a separate saucepan. Melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens and bubbles, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Combine and Serve: You have two options here:
· Option A (Fully Integrated): Pour the finished cheese sauce directly into the Sloppy Joe mixture and stir to combine. This is the easiest for serving a crowd.
· Option B (Layered): Spoon the hot Sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom half of your buns, then generously ladle the cheese sauce over the top. This gives you a more dramatic, “drippy” cheese effect. - Toast and Assemble: Lightly toast your buns or hoagie rolls. Place the bottom bun on a plate, pile high with the cheesy meat mixture, add your optional toppings, and crown with the top bun. Serve immediately!
Pro Tips for the Best Results:
· The Chop is Key: For the most authentic “cheesesteak” texture, make sure to chop your onions, peppers, and mushrooms finely. You want them to blend seamlessly with the ground beef.
· Don’t Skip the Mushrooms: They add a wonderful, savory, “umami” depth that is crucial to the Philly Cheesesteak flavor profile.
· Cheese Choices: Provolone is the classic choice, but Cheez Whiz is the traditional (if divisive) Philadelphia option. For a homemade version, the cheese sauce in this recipe is perfect. A mix of provolone and mozzarella also works well for great meltability.
· Make it Ahead: The Sloppy Joe mixture (without the cheese sauce) can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Reheat it on the stove before making the fresh cheese sauce and serving.
· Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the mixture for a little kick.
Enjoy your delicious, messy, and utterly satisfying meal