These cheesesteak style sloppy joes pack everything people love about a Philly sandwich into a saucy ground beef filling. Browned beef, sauteed onion and green pepper, a savory beef broth sauce, and melted cheese all land on a toasted roll in about 25 minutes.
Instead of a long simmer, the sauce is thickened with a spoonful of cornstarch, so it turns glossy in a minute or two. The cheese goes on at the end, off the heat, so it melts into the beef rather than turning stringy.
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Why This Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes Recipe Works
Browning the beef first and setting it aside gives you control. You can drain extra fat, then cook the vegetables in butter until they pick up color, which builds more flavor than steaming them in the beef drippings.
The broth, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder give the sauce a deep, steakhouse flavor, and the cornstarch keeps it from running off the bun. Melting the cheese last gives you that classic cheesesteak finish.
Ingredients for Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 slices white American or provolone cheese
- 4 sandwich rolls
Ground beef: 80/20 gives the ideal flavor. Leaner beef works, but the filling may need a splash more broth.
Onion and green pepper: They bring the classic cheesesteak flavor. Dice them small so they melt into the sauce.
Beef broth: Low sodium broth lets you control the salt, since the cheese and Worcestershire add plenty.
Cornstarch: It thickens the sauce quickly. Stir it in thoroughly so it does not clump.
Cheese: White American melts the creamiest. Provolone gives a milder, slightly stretchier result.
How to Make Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes
1. Brown the beef. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble in the beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook about 5 minutes until browned. Move it to a plate and drain off any extra grease.
2. Cook the vegetables. Melt the butter in the same pan, then add the onion and green pepper. Cook 4 to 5 minutes until they start to brown and the onion turns translucent.
3. Build the sauce. Lower the heat and return the beef to the pan. Add garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and broth, scraping up the browned bits. Cook about 1 minute.
4. Thicken. Sprinkle in the cornstarch and stir for about 1 minute until the sauce turns glossy. If it looks dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. Make sure the beef reaches 160 degrees F.
5. Melt the cheese. Take the pan off the heat, lay the cheese on top, and let it sit 1 to 2 minutes until melted. Stir it in lightly.
6. Serve. Spoon the filling onto the rolls and serve right away.
How to Serve Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes
Serve these with easy oven fries for a diner style dinner, or add a cool side of macaroni salad with sour cream for a picnic plate.
If your family loves sandwiches, put out slow cooker Roast beef dip sandwiches alongside, or serve a smaller spread with chuck roast Roast beef dip sandwiches for a game day table.
How to Store and Reheat Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes
Let the filling cool, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. Store the rolls separately so they do not get soggy.
Reheat the filling in a skillet over medium low heat with a splash of broth or water until it reaches 165 degrees F. Toast fresh rolls and add a slice of cheese if you like. Do not leave the filling out for more than two hours.
Tips and Variations for Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes
Cut the vegetables small. They should blend into the filling rather than slide out of the bun.
Drain extra fat. A lot of grease will keep the sauce from thickening evenly.
Add cheese off the heat. This prevents the cheese from turning grainy.
Toast the rolls. A little butter and a minute under the broiler keep the bread sturdy.
Add mushrooms. Sauteed mushrooms add earthy depth to the filling.
Turn up the heat. A pinch of red pepper flakes or a few pickled peppers adds a kick.
Cook it safely. Ground beef should reach 160 degrees F. See the FDA safe food handling guide for general temperature guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes
What makes cheesesteak style sloppy joes different from regular sloppy joes?
Instead of a sweet tomato sauce, the filling uses a savory beef broth sauce with onions, green pepper, and melted cheese, closer to a Philly sandwich.
What cheese is ideal for cheesesteak style sloppy joes?
White American melts smoothly and tastes mild, while provolone gives a slightly sharper, stretchier result.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes. Cook it to 165 degrees F and add a little extra butter or broth, since turkey is leaner.
How do I keep the buns from getting soggy?
Toast the rolls and fill them just before serving. A thick sauce also helps.
Can I make cheesesteak style sloppy joes ahead of time?
Yes. Make the filling up to 3 days ahead and reheat it on the stove with a splash of broth.
Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes
Equipment
- Large skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 recommended
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- ½ tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 slices white American or provolone cheese
- 4 sandwich rolls toasted
Instructions
Cooking
- Brown the beef. Cook the beef in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, season with salt and pepper, then remove and drain extra fat.
- Cook the vegetables. Melt the butter and cook the onion and pepper 4 to 5 minutes until they start to brown.
- Build the sauce. Lower the heat, return the beef, and add garlic powder, Worcestershire, and broth, scraping the pan for about 1 minute.
- Thicken. Stir in the cornstarch for about 1 minute until glossy. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water if dry. The beef should reach 160 degrees F.
- Melt the cheese. Remove from the heat, lay the cheese on top, and let it melt 1 to 2 minutes.
- Serve. Spoon the filling onto the rolls and serve right away.
