Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

Get ready for the most amazing comfort food mashup that brings together two beloved sandwiches into one incredible dinner! Your family is going to absolutely love these messy, cheesy, flavorful subs that come together in just 20 minutes on busy weeknights.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 20 minutes, Total Time: 20 minutes, Serves: 4 people, Yield: 4 subs

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Low-Calorie

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 413 Calories, 20g Fat, 29g Carbs, 30g Protein

Ingredients You’ll Need

Neutral oil: You’ll need 2 teaspoons of something like canola or avocado oil. This helps brown the beef perfectly without adding any strong flavors.

Lean ground beef: One pound of lean ground beef is the star here. I love using 90/10 or 93/7 lean beef to keep things healthier but still super tasty.

Dried oregano: Just 1 teaspoon brings that classic Italian flavor that makes everything taste amazing. Fresh oregano works too if you have it!

Salt: A simple ¼ teaspoon helps bring out all the other flavors. You can always adjust to taste.

No-salt-added tomato sauce: One cup gives you that rich, tomatoey base without extra sodium. Any brand you like works great.

Sautéed Peppers & Onions: You’ll need 1 cup of these classic Philly flavors. You can make them fresh or use store-bought to save time.

Whole-wheat sub rolls: Four 6-inch rolls split open are perfect. Look for softer buns since they’re easier to eat when loaded up!

Reduced-sodium provolone cheese: Four slices of this creamy, mild cheese melt beautifully and taste just like the real deal from Philly.

How to Make Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Move your oven rack to the upper third and preheat your broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil to make cleanup super easy.

Step 2: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef, oregano, and salt. Use a wooden spoon to crumble the beef as it cooks for 4 to 6 minutes until it’s completely cooked through.

Step 3: Pour in the tomato sauce and let it bubble away for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps everything come together and get nice and saucy.

Step 4: While the beef is cooking, warm up your peppers and onions in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir them often, or just pop them in the microwave for 1 minute if you want to save time.

Step 5: Place your split sub rolls cut-side up on the foil-lined baking sheet. Broil them for 1 to 2 minutes, rotating the pan as needed, until they’re just starting to turn golden brown.

Step 6: Take the rolls out and load them up! Divide the beef mixture evenly among all four rolls. Top with the warm peppers and onions, then add a slice of provolone to each one.

Step 7: Pop them back under the broiler for just 30 seconds to 1 minute until the cheese melts perfectly. Wrap each sub in foil if you’re not eating right away, and serve them hot!

Easy and Quick Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes Version

Want to make this even faster? You can totally use pre-cooked ground beef from the freezer section! Just heat up 1 pound of pre-cooked beef with the oregano, salt, and tomato sauce for about 3 minutes. Skip the browning step completely and you’ll have dinner ready in under 15 minutes. Plus, you can use pre-made pepper and onion mix from the frozen section – just thaw and warm it up!

Serving Ideas

These loaded subs are pretty much a complete meal all on their own! If you want to add some sides, try some crispy baked sweet potato fries or a simple green salad with ranch dressing. A handful of crunchy pickle chips on the side makes everything taste even more like a real deli sandwich.

Storage

Store any leftover beef mixture in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. You can reheat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or warm it up in a skillet over medium heat. The assembled subs are best eaten right away, but you can wrap them in foil and keep them warm in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes.

Substitutions

No provolone? American cheese or even cheddar work great too! You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken if you prefer. Regular white sub rolls are totally fine if you can’t find whole wheat ones. And if you don’t have oregano, Italian seasoning works just as well.

Pro Tips

• Softer buns are key: Look for sub rolls that give a little when you squeeze them – they’re much easier to bite into when loaded up!
• Don’t skip the foil wrap: Wrapping the finished subs in foil keeps them warm and makes them easier to hold, just like at a real sandwich shop.
• Make extra peppers and onions: They’re great to have on hand for other sandwiches, eggs, or even pizza toppings.
• Watch the broiler closely: Cheese can go from perfectly melted to burnt in seconds, so keep an eye on it!

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

You bet! You can make the beef mixture up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Just reheat it when you’re ready to assemble the subs. I don’t recommend assembling the whole sandwich ahead since the bread might get soggy.

What if I can’t find sautéed peppers and onions?

Sure! You can make your own by slicing 1 bell pepper and half an onion, then cooking them in a skillet with a little oil for about 5-7 minutes until they’re soft. You can also check the frozen section – many stores sell frozen pepper and onion mixes.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While provolone is traditional for Philly cheesesteaks, you can use American cheese, white cheddar, or even Swiss. Just pick something that melts well and tastes good to you!

How do I keep the buns from getting soggy?

Great question! Toasting the buns first really helps create a barrier. Also, make sure to let the beef mixture cool for just a minute or two before adding it to the buns. The foil wrap actually helps too since it keeps everything contained.

I hope your family loves these as much as mine does! They’re such a fun twist on two classic favorites. Let me know how yours turn out – I love hearing about your cooking adventures!