The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Craving a Philly Cheesesteak but short on time or budget? Look no further than Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes! This clever recipe uses ground beef instead of steak, offering a delicious and affordable alternative. You’ll get all the classic cheesesteak flavors you love – savory meat, melty cheese, and tasty toppings – piled high on a soft bun.
It costs approximately $16.05 to make these sandwiches. The recipe makes six servings and costs around $2.67 per serving.
What You’ll Love About Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes:
- Philly Cheesesteak Flavor: Adding onions, peppers, and cheese creates the classic Philly Cheesesteak flavor we all know and love, providing a fun twist on regular sloppy joes.
- Simple Preparation: Sloppy joes are known for being easy to make, and this recipe is no different. It is a super convenient dinner recipe for busy weeknights and takes twenty minutes to make.
- Cost-effective: Ground beef is typically cheaper than steak, making this recipe a more affordable option.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 6 submarine rolls – $3.28
- 3 Tablespoons melted butter – $0.42
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil – $0.18
- 1 1/2 pound lean ground beef – $7.25
- 3/4 cup beef stock – $0.32
- 1 large bell pepper – $1.24
- 1 large yellow onion – $1.38
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce – $0.11
- 6 slices provolone cheese – $1.87
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in March 2024.
What is the best cheese for cheesesteaks?
Unlike classic cheesesteaks that often use white American and provolone, our Sloppy Joe Cheesesteak features a generous helping of provolone cheese. This choice adds a salty, milky taste that complements the savory flavors of the dish perfectly.
How to Make Philly Cheesesteak with Ground Beef:
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Turn on your oven and adjust the rack to the second-highest position. While it heats up, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set it aside. Cut open your rolls.
- Brush the rolls with melted butter.
- Toast the rolls in the oven for 1-3 minutes until golden brown. Once done, let them cool slightly.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet for 5-6 minutes.
- Add the bell pepper and onion to the browned beef and cook until softened.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and beef stock. Simmer the mixture for 3-4 minutes, letting most of the liquid evaporate. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cheese pieces to the beef mixture and stir until melted and incorporated.
- Divide the meat mixture evenly among the toasted rolls and serve immediately.
Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Recipe Variations:
Feel free to swap the provolone for American cheese from the deli counter or mozzarella cheese for a different melted cheese experience.
Get creative with the bell peppers! While green pepper is traditional, any color you like will add a delicious pop of sweetness and crunch.
What Goes with Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes?
We recommend serving our Instant Pot Corn on the Cob or Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. For dessert, finish it off with some yummy Lemon Lush.
Serving and Storage Tips:
SERVE: These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes taste best when enjoyed fresh! Like most dairy-based meals, they should be consumed within 2 hours of preparation.
STORE: Leftovers can be easily stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat them when you’re ready for another delicious bite.
FREEZE: For perfectly melty cheese when reheating, prepare the filling to the point of adding cheese. Let it cool completely, then stir in the cheese and transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw and reheat the filling for a delicious and melty meal.
Get Kids Involved:
Ages 2-3: Let your little helpers fill the sub rolls with the yummy meat mixture.
Ages 4-5: Divide the stirring process into manageable parts. Let your child stir for short periods, encouraging them to continue throughout the mixing process. Acknowledge your child’s contributions with praise and appreciation. This reinforces positive cooking experiences and encourages future participation.
Ages 6-8: Have your child break up the ground beef with a wooden spoon. This simple task helps develop hand-eye coordination and a sense of accomplishment.
Ages 9-11: Ensure close supervision throughout the recipe, especially when using kitchen tools. To empower their participation, encourage them to read the recipe twice beforehand. This allows them to familiarize themselves with the steps and builds confidence in their ability to help.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe independently while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Recipe FAQs:
What’s the difference between Manwich and Sloppy Joes?
Manwich is the store-bought pre-made sauce you can buy in a can at the grocery store. Instead of a pre-made sauce from the grocery store, this Sloppy Joe recipe uses a delicious sauce prepared from scratch using ground beef. The mixture is simmered on the stovetop and then served on buns or rolls for a satisfying meal.
What cut of beef is used for cheesesteaks?
A traditional Philly Cheesesteak is typically made with a ribeye steak. However, to make this Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe even more delightful, we’ve swapped steak for ground beef. This budget-friendly option cooks beautifully on the stovetop, making it a fantastic weeknight meal.
What is the secret to a good Philly cheesesteak?
Level up your Sloppy Joe experience! Toasting the buns adds a delightful crunch that complements the soft interior and prevents them from getting weighed down by the flavorful fillings.
What kind of buns for Philly cheesesteak?
For a sturdy foundation that can hold all the deliciousness of your Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes, opt for a long, thick sandwich roll. Hoagie buns, submarine rolls, brioche buns, hero rolls, or even Italian subs are all perfect choices!
Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Budget Tips
We love traditional Philly Cheesesteaks, but not when we are trying to make our grocery budget stretch. That’s when this recipe comes in clutch! We can get the same great taste with our budget-friendly hack of using ground beef instead of steak to save money.
More $10 Main Dish recipes:
- 20-Minute Thai Peanut Noodles
- Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat
- Easy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Philly Cheesesteak with Ground Beef
Equipment
- Wooden spoon
- baking sheet
- bread knife
- large skillet
- cutting board
- vegetable knife
- tin foil
Ingredients
- 6 submarine rolls split in half
- 3 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1 ½ Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ pound lean ground beef
- 1 large bell pepper diced
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 1 ½ Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ cup beef stock
- salt and pepper
- 6 slices provolone cheese torn into 1-inch pieces
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND PAN:
- Move the oven rack to the second-highest position and preheat the broiler.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
PREP SUBMARINE ROLLS:
- Cut the submarine rolls almost all the way in half. Use your fingers to spread the rolls open. Brush the inside and outside of the rolls with melted butter and place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Place the rolls under the broiler and let them toast until the edges are golden brown about 1-3 minutes. Watch the rolls constantly because they can burn in a blink of an eye!
- Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool.
MAKE FILLING:
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, swirl it around the pan and add ground beef. Using the back of a wooden spoon break up ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add bell pepper and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender; 3-4 minutes.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and beef stock. Bring mixture to bubble and continue to cook until almost all liquid evaporates; 3-4 minutes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
ADD CHEESE:
- Add the torn cheese pieces to the filling and stir it to combine. Continue to cook until the cheese is nice and melted.
SERVE:
- Add 1/6 of the meat mixture to a toasted roll. Repeat with remaining rolls and serve!
Mya Murphy says
I love cheap yummy kid-friendly meals.. This would be a big hit in our household.
Jess Jankowski says
We love it too! Enjoy!
Anita Kennett says
I am so making this tonight,Thanks for the idea.
Jess Jankowski says
Enjoy!
Cheryl Markle-Bomar says
I love this and my grand kids went crazy for it!! Thanks for sharing!!
Jess Jankowski says
Cheryl, we love that you made it for your grandkids! Thanks for stopping by.
Suzanne Greene says
Love how detailed your recipes are and how we can get the kids involved.
Jess Jankowski says
We are big believers in getting our kids involved in the kitchen. Thanks for your feedback!
Soraya M says
Philly Cheesesteak is one of my all-time favorite dishes. I order it in restaurants all the time. I am definitely going to try out this recipes. I am salivating just looking at the pictures.
Jess Jankowski says
You will love how easily this dish comes together and will be enjoying your favorite dish in no time at all!
Michelle J. says
We miss Philly Cheesesteaks! These would be fun.
Jess Jankowski says
Easy way to get that same great taste!
Katie says
Looks amazing. Cannot wait to try this one!
Jess Jankowski says
Katie you are going to love it!
Britni says
I’d never made Philly cheesesteaks before and now I want them every night, so yummy!
Jess Jankowski says
Yes Britni! So happy you enjoyed them!
Becca says
This is AMAZING !! We loved it – I think this will quickly become one of our favorites. Two substitutions were made – we used ground turkey and chicken stock instead of ground beef and beef stock. It was delicious.!!! I know some reviewers don’t like you to review when you have made substitutions but sometimes a person just has to go with what they have in pantry.
Jess Jankowski says
Becca, we love that you took our recipe and made it your own!! We totally agree with you, that sometimes you just go with what you have on hand! That is such a great budgeting tip. Thank you for your review!
Grace says
Is it me or is there no temp? Under the broiler isn’t ideal for me
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Grace, most ovens have a broil option, which we prefer for a quick and direct heat on the buns to give them a little crisp. Typically, broil is about 500 degrees F. Hope that helps!
Pauline says
Did these ahead of time for a camping trip, filled the buns at campsite, on to the fire, 5 minutes, supper was ready. Amazing recipe!!
Jess Jankowski says
Such a great idea for camping! Thanks for sharing!