Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
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Craving a delicious and easy-to-make meal that the whole family will love? Look no further than these Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches. Made with a savory ground beef filling and melted cheese that is nestled between two slices of perfectly toasted sourdough bread, these sandwiches are a delightful twist on the classic Philly cheesesteak.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy – A simple filling is cooked on the stovetop. Then use the same pan to toast up the sandwiches.
- Freezer Friendly – Simply cook up the ground beef and freeze it for future sandwich making.
- Kid-Friendly – Since it closely resembles a grilled cheese, kids are more likely to try them.
- Quick – This meal can be done in 30 minutes.
Serve these up with potato chips, Steak Fries, or veggies like our Roasted Vegetable Hash or Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts.
Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe.
Ingredient Notes:
- Green bell pepper, onion, portobello mushrooms – dice them the same size to keep them from overpowering
- Lean ground beef – Here’s where we get our grass-fed beef.
- Provolone cheese – sub your favorite cheese.
How to Make Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Make the Filling
In a large saute pan, saute bell peppers, onions and mushrooms until they begin to soften, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook about 30-60 more seconds. Season the veggies lightly with salt and pepper and then set aside.
Add the ground beef to the same saute pan and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula along the way, until there is no longer any pink showing. While it cooks, season the meat and then drain any excess grease. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and the cooked veggies until everything is combined.
Build the Sandwiches
Wipe the saute pan clean. Lay the bread slices on a cutting board and butter one side of each piece of bread. Then lay them butter side down. On the inside of one piece of bread, place a slice of cheese, scoop about 1/3 cup of the beef mixture on top of that, top with another slice of cheese, and place another piece of bread on top (butter side up).
Grill the Sandwiches
Place the saute pan over medium heat. Grill each sandwich for 2-3 minutes per side, until the outside is browned and cheese is melted.
Serve & Enjoy!
Serve it warm with some fruits and veggies and enjoy a smile like this one!
Can I Freeze Ground Beef Sandwiches?
You bet! I would advise freezing them as a kit.
To Freeze For Later: Follow instructions through Step 3. Place the cooled meat/veggie mixture in a freezer bag and seal. Freeze the meat, cheese slices, and bread together as a meal kit.
To Prepare From Frozen: Thaw the meat kit components in the refrigerator overnight. Follow Steps 4-5.
Side Dish Ideas
You can also serve veggie sticks with Creamy Southwest Ranch Sauce or Simple Blender Hummus.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! We’ve had it with Pepper Jack and it’s delicious. I’m sure your favorite cheese will taste yummy too!
Besides a skillet, you can use a griddle, or a panini press.
We think it makes the sandwich, but you could certainly use the ground beef mixture on a hoagie roll or something without toasting.
Sure, just add a little more onion and pepper to make up the difference.
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Easy dinner idea that doesn’t take long to make and makes for great leftovers later.
Ingredients
- 1–2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced onion (about 1/2 of a medium onion)
- 1/2 cup diced portobello mushrooms
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef (Here’s where we get our grass-fed beef.)
- A pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 6 tablespoons softened butter
- 12 slices Provolone cheese
- 12 slices sourdough bread
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Instructions
Make It Now:
- Make the Filling: In a large saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Saute bell peppers, onions and mushrooms until they begin to soften, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook about 30-60 more seconds. Season the veggies lightly with salt and pepper and then set aside.
- Add the ground beef to the same saute pan and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula along the way, until there is no longer any pink showing. While it cooks, season the meat with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce and the cooked veggies until everything is combined. (Freezing instructions begin here.) Set filling aside.
- Build the Sandwiches:Wipe the saute pan clean. Lay the bread slices on a cutting board and butter one side of each piece of bread. Then lay them butter side down. On the inside of one piece of bread, place a slice of cheese, scoop about 1/3 cup of the beef mixture on top of that, top with another slice of cheese, and place another piece of bread on top (butter side up).
- Grill the Sandwiches: Place the saute pan over medium heat. Grill each sandwich for 2-3 minutes per side, until the outside is browned and cheese is melted.
Freeze For Later: Follow instructions through Step 3. Place the cooled meat/veggie mixture in a freezer bag and seal. Freeze the meat, cheese slices, and bread together as a meal kit.
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw the meat kit components in the refrigerator overnight. Follow Steps 4-5.
Notes/Tips
- This recipe makes about 3 cups of filling. I use about 1/3 cup per sandwich.
- If you like mushrooms, you can go heavier on those.
Hop over and browse through our Top 10 Ground Beef Meal Ideas.
Photos and video by Whitney Reist of Sweet Cayenne.
Allison says
So quick and easy to make and delicious!
Carla from Thriving Home says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed them Allison. Thank you for leaving a review.
Charlie says
This absolutely smacked. I saw another commenter mention that the ground beef could be more flavorful so, after some googling and reddit browsing, I found a recommendation to use Lawry’s seasoned salt to mimic the cheesesteak – it really changed the flavor profile of the beef and sent it over the edge! We can often get into a rut trying to find exciting new ways to use ground beef; this is going to be a staple in our household for sure. Thanks for this!
I use online recipes all the time and this is the first time I’ve ever left a review if that tells you anything.
Carla from Thriving Home says
Hi Charlie! So glad you found us and enjoyed this recipe. We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review!
Lydia says
Delicious! We are always looking for more ground beef recipes and this is one of our new favorites. We did add some leftover bacon to the sandwich and it was so good we will be making that addition every time!
Carla from Thriving Home says
Hi Lydia. I can’t think of anything bacon doesn’t take to the next level! 🙂 Maybe that’s just me, but I’m definitely gonna add it the next time we make these sandwiches. Thanks so much for leaving a review and for your tip to add bacon!
Caroline says
I forgot the green pepper, but my husband still loved it!
Carla from Thriving Home says
This is one of my favs! Next time you’ll add the green pepper and it will take it over the top! 🙂
Freedom says
Has become a family favorite
Carla Fletcher says
Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Mike says
Fantastic! First time I made it as written, mostly. Added 1/2 tsp seasoned salt (Jeff Smith, the frugal gourmet’s version), 1/2 of a minced jalapeno and a 3rd garlic clove. The 2nd time I got crazy. To the above I added 2oz pepper jack cheese and essentially a prepared 12oz box of Velveeta shells and cheese. Another hit! I did this to help stretch the meal for larger appetites.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Love all your creative touches, Mike. Thanks for sharing and glad you’ve liked this recipe!
Leta says
I made your grilled ground beef philly cheese steak sandwiches and enjoyed them but my husband and son would like the meat to be more flavorful. Can you suggest additional seasonings to add to amp up the flavor? Prefer not to add more worcestershire sauce
thank you
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Great question and thank you for the feedback. I went back and looked over the recipe and adjusted the seasoning directions for the meat and veggies. I agree that it needs to be seasoned as it cooks! In addition to adding in the salt and pepper as the veggies cook and as the meat cooks, I also added in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat. If you wanted even more seasoning, you could add in 1-2 tablespoons of soy sauce to the meat/veggie mixture at the end, too. I hope that helps!
Laura Pinkstaff says
These are a go-to for our family. I often make a double batch and warp each individual sandwich in parchment paper. I stack them in a freezer bag and my husband loves grabbing them to take for lunch.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Laura. Great idea to freeze individual sandwiches!
Lori in North Dakota says
So good! Definitely saving this one!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
We’re so happy you enjoyed it, Lori. Thanks for the review!
April Horstman Reser says
We really liked these, my husband especially! We made the whole batch for 6 people and froze half for later (only 3 in our family). When I re-heat them I’m going to add jalapenos to the grown-ups’ sandwiches. Very good!
Rachel says
Wonderful, April. Thanks for sharing about your success. Love the jalapenos ideas for the adults!
Liz says
This is so yummy! Even my picky kids who turned their noses up at it, loved it once they tried it! If I want to freeze more for the future do I go to the step of buttering the bread and then wrap in foil and freeze there? Or is it better to freeze the meat mixture separately and then add bread when warming?
Polly says
I would freeze the meat separately. Just freeze it in its own bag along side the sandwich fixings. That way the bread won’t get soggy. Glad you enjoyed it!
Maria says
Wow, this is SO good. Just made it.
Polly says
Yeah! Glad you liked it. It’s one of my husband’s favorites as of late. And so easy to make!
brianna says
ah geez these look amazing, Polly! pregnancy craving has me wanting to send the hubby to the store immediately.
Jennifer says
These look amazing! Adding these to our menu plan for sure! Moms of picky eaters must unite!