Ultimate Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes: A Flavorful and Easy Recipe
Get ready to experience a truly iconic comfort food mashup! These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes combine the best elements of two beloved dishes: the rich, savory flavor of a classic Philly cheesesteak and the delightful, messy fun of a sloppy joe. Made with succulent ground sirloin, tender bell peppers, sweet onions, and an irresistible blanket of melted cheese, this dish is piled high on soft buns, promising a taste explosion in every bite. It’s an easy, hearty, and wonderfully messy meal that’s perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or any time you crave a satisfying meal with a twist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe: A Perfect Fusion
This recipe isn’t just a simple crossover; it’s a culinary triumph that brings together the robust flavors of a traditional Philly cheesesteak with the beloved simplicity of a sloppy joe. Instead of the thinly shaved ribeye typically found in a cheesesteak sandwich, we use lean ground sirloin. This clever swap is the secret to its “sloppy” nature, making it incredibly easy to prepare while ensuring it’s packed with flavor and holds its saucy texture perfectly.
You won’t miss out on those quintessential cheesesteak elements, though! Each bite delivers the sweet caramelization of onions, the crisp-tender texture of bell peppers, and the undeniable gooey goodness of melted provolone cheese. It’s the ideal weeknight dinner solution because it’s quick to come together but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Plus, its inherently messy nature makes it a hit with kids and adults alike, encouraging a fun, casual dining experience. It’s truly a hearty, satisfying, and utterly delicious meal that effortlessly bridges two American comfort food icons.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Flavor
Crafting these delicious Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes requires a handful of common ingredients that, when combined, create an extraordinary flavor profile. You’ll find all the precise measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post. For now, let’s dive into what you’ll need to gather to bring this incredible dish to life.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Understanding each ingredient’s role and knowing your options for substitutions can help you tailor this recipe to your taste and what you have on hand.
Choosing Your Beef
For the best results, we highly recommend using ground sirloin. Its leaner profile (typically 90/10 or 92/8 lean-to-fat ratio) means you get plenty of beefy flavor without an excessive amount of grease, often eliminating the need to drain off fat during cooking. This contributes to a cleaner, more balanced sloppy joe mixture. However, if sirloin isn’t available, other lean ground beef options like ground round (85/15) or even ground chuck (80/20) can work. If using fattier beef, be sure to drain off any excess grease after browning to prevent a greasy final product. For a lighter version, ground turkey or chicken could also be used, though the flavor profile will shift slightly.
The Perfect Melty Cheese
The hallmark of any great cheesesteak is the glorious melted cheese, and our sloppy joes are no exception. We chose smoked provolone cheese for its distinctive flavor that adds a wonderful depth to the dish. Regular provolone works just as wonderfully if you prefer a milder taste or can’t find the smoked variety. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other cheeses too!
Consider these delicious alternatives:
- Cheddar: A sharp or mild cheddar will provide a familiar, creamy melt.
- White Cheddar: Offers a slightly more refined flavor while still being rich.
- Havarti: Known for its buttery flavor and excellent melting capabilities.
- Gouda: Adds a sweet, nutty note and melts beautifully.
- Mozzarella: For a milder, super stretchy cheese experience.
- American Cheese or Cheez Whiz: If you’re aiming for that classic, ultra-creamy, and slightly tangy Philadelphia street food experience, these options deliver an incredibly smooth and gooey texture.
While our recipe calls for 5 ounces of cheese, feel free to use up to 8 ounces if you’re a true cheese lover! A generous amount truly makes these sloppy joes sing.
Shred Your Own Cheese for Best Results
Here’s a crucial expert tip for optimal melt: always shred your own cheese from the block. Pre-bagged shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents like cellulose, which prevent the cheese from clumping together in the bag but can result in a slightly gritty or less smooth texture when melted. Freshly shredded cheese melts into a wonderfully creamy, velvety sauce that truly elevates this dish.
Flavorful Vegetables
The combination of red onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper not only adds vibrant color but also essential sweetness and a slight crunch that’s characteristic of a Philly cheesesteak. Sautéing them until tender-crisp ensures they retain some bite and don’t become overly soft. You can adjust the proportions of these vegetables to your liking or even add other favorites like sautéed mushrooms for extra umami depth, or a finely diced jalapeño for a touch of heat.
The Perfect Spice Blend and Sauce Base
Our carefully chosen spices – chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder – enhance the savory notes of the beef and complement the vegetables, building a robust flavor foundation. For the sauce base, Better than Bouillon beef base provides an intense, concentrated beef flavor that’s superior to many traditional broths. Combined with tomato paste and water, it creates a rich, savory, and perfectly thick sauce. If you don’t have bouillon base, you can substitute with beef broth or stock; simply replace the ½ cup of water and omit the bouillon base. You can also use 1-2 beef bouillon cubes dissolved in ½ cup of water.
Selecting Your Buns
For sloppy joes, the bun is more than just a vehicle; it’s part of the experience. Choose soft, sturdy buns that can hold up to the generous, saucy filling. Classic hamburger buns work well, but you could also opt for brioche buns for a richer taste, potato buns for extra softness, or even smaller slider buns if you’re making them for a party or as a side dish. Toasting the buns lightly before serving adds a pleasant texture and prevents them from getting soggy too quickly.
Crafting Your Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes: Step-by-Step
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version, complete with all measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
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Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Wait until the oil is shimmering, indicating it’s hot enough. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it becomes wonderfully fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
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Cook the Vegetables: Next, add the chopped red onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté these vegetables until they are tender-crisp, which should take approximately 2-3 minutes. You want them softened but still with a slight bite for texture. Once cooked, remove the vegetables from the skillet and set them aside on a plate, keeping them warm while you prepare the beef.
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Brown the Ground Sirloin: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Once hot, add the ground sirloin. Sprinkle in the chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder over the meat. Use a spatula to break up the meat as it cooks, browning it thoroughly with the seasonings. If you used a fattier ground beef, now would be the time to carefully drain off any excess fat from the skillet. However, with lean ground sirloin, draining is usually not necessary, allowing all the flavor to remain in the pan.
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Build the Sauce Base: Once the beef is browned, stir in the beef bouillon base and tomato paste, mixing them well into the cooked meat. This step creates a rich, concentrated flavor foundation for your sloppy joes. After incorporating the paste and bouillon, return the previously sautéed vegetables (red onion and bell peppers) back to the skillet with the beef mixture.
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Simmer and Thicken: Pour in the water and stir everything together to combine thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Allow the sloppy joe mixture to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. This crucial simmering period allows the seasonings to meld beautifully, deepen the flavors, and the sauce to thicken to that perfect “sloppy” consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
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Melt the Cheese and Serve: Finally, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the shredded provolone cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has completely melted and is beautifully incorporated, creating a gooey, cheesy beef mixture. Serve immediately and generously piled onto your favorite sandwich buns. Prepare for a delicious, messy, and utterly satisfying meal!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
To store any cooled leftovers, transfer the sloppy joe mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat the mixture on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s thoroughly warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions. This recipe is also great for meal prepping!
Absolutely! While we didn’t include it in our primary recipe, many people adore the tangy, savory depth that Worcestershire sauce adds to sloppy joes. Feel free to incorporate a few dashes or a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce during the simmering step (Step 5) to enhance the umami notes if you wish. It’s a fantastic way to customize the flavor to your preference.
Yes, this recipe is excellent for making ahead! You can prepare the sloppy joe mixture completely, then cool it and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, simply reheat gently on the stovetop. This makes it a perfect option for busy weeknights or entertaining.
For the creamiest, smoothest melted cheese, always shred it yourself from a block rather than using pre-bagged shredded cheese. Pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that can make the cheese melt in a slightly gritty or clumpy way. Stirring the cheese in off the heat, or on very low heat, also helps achieve a silky texture without it separating.
This recipe yields approximately 4 cups of the delicious sloppy joe mixture. Depending on how generously you pile your sandwiches, this batch can make anywhere from 4 to 8 servings. For a standard sandwich, about ½ cup of the mixture per bun is a good portion. If you prefer larger, heartier sandwiches, you might use up to 1 cup per bun. Keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is based on 8 servings.
Absolutely! We often use concentrated bouillon base for convenience and intense flavor, but beef broth or stock is a perfect substitute. Simply replace the ½ cup of water in the recipe with ½ cup of your preferred beef broth or stock, and omit the bouillon base entirely. If using a bouillon cube, dissolve 1-2 cubes in ½ cup of hot water before adding to the mixture.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Your Sloppy Joes
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes are a true crowd-pleaser and inherently versatile when it comes to serving. They are an absolute go-to for casual gatherings, potlucks, and especially game days, as the recipe is effortlessly doubled or even tripled to feed a larger group.
For classic pairings, these messy sandwiches team up wonderfully with some crispy potato chips, golden french fries (especially air fryer fries for a healthier twist!), or a hearty side of baked beans. If you’re looking for another comforting classic, a creamy stovetop mac and cheese is an unbeatable companion that echoes the cheesy goodness of the sloppy joes.
Looking for a lighter or lower-carb option? Simply swap out the traditional sandwich buns for crisp lettuce leaves, creating a delicious and satisfying “sloppy joe lettuce wrap.” For parties or when serving alongside a multitude of appetizers and sides, consider using smaller slider buns. This allows your guests to enjoy these flavorful bites without getting too full, leaving room for all the other delicious snacks! Don’t forget some pickles or a side of coleslaw for a fresh, tangy contrast.
More Mouthwatering Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of the flavors in these Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes, then you’ll definitely want to explore these other delicious and related recipes:
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders: Bite-sized versions perfect for parties!
- Philly Cheesesteak Dip: All the flavors of a cheesesteak in a warm, cheesy dip.
- One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta: A convenient and comforting twist on classic sloppy joes.
- Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole: A hearty casserole topped with a golden cornbread crust.
These recipes offer different ways to enjoy similar flavor profiles, ensuring there’s something for everyone to savor.
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Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 pound ground sirloin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Better than Bouillon beef base
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- 5 ounces shredded provolone cheese we used smoked provolone
- 8 sandwich buns
Things You’ll Need
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Large heavy bottomed skillet
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Rubber spatula
Before You Begin
- This recipe calls for 5 ounces of cheese. However, you can use as much as 8-ounces based on your cheese preference.
- I highly recommend shredding your own cheese from the block, as prebagged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents which can cause the melted cheese to have a gritty texture.
- We did not include Worcestershire sauce in ours, but many people love it in their sloppy joes. Feel free to add a few shakes before the simmering step if desired.
- We use a concentrated bouillon base for most of our recipes instead of broth or stock. It’s convenient, takes up a lot less space, has a more intense flavor, and is easily reconstituted with water. You can certainly use broth or stock instead. Just replace the amount of water in the recipe with stock and omit the base. Alternatively, you can substitute 1-2 bouillon cubes for the beef base in the recipe.
Instructions
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Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
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Saute the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.1 Tablespoon minced garlic
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Add the red onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Saute until tender-crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Remove cooked vegetables to a plate and keep warm.1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper, 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
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Add remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add ground sirloin, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. Brown the meat with the seasonings. Drain off excess fat, if any.
CHEF’S NOTE: We used ground sirloin as it’s leaner and we don’t need to drain it.
1 pound ground sirloin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder -
Add beef bouillon base and tomato paste and stir into the cooked meat. Add the reserved vegetables back to the skillet.1 1/2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon beef base, 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
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Add water and stir everything together. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow seasonings to blend and let the sauce thicken.1/2 cup water
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Stir in shredded cheese until melted. Serve on sandwich buns.5 ounces shredded provolone cheese, 8 sandwich buns
Expert Tips & FAQs
- This makes about 4 cups of sloppy Joe mixture. Depending on how much meat you like on your sandwich you can get 4-8 sandwiches from this batch. For 8 regular sized sandwiches, use 1/2 cup meat mixture. For larger sandwiches, 1 cup of mixture is a good hearty portion. Note that the nutrition information is based on 8 sandwiches
- Store any cooled leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the mixture on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Nutrition
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.