Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are the ultimate sandwich! It’s packed with beef, peppers, cheese, and a sweet-and-savory sauce that makes it totally irresistible! 

close up image of a philly cheesesteak sloppy joe sandwich sitting on a wood cutting board.

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I love creating recipes that combine my classic favorite foods. In the past, I’ve put together chocolate chip cookies and brownies to make incredible brookies. I made pizza for breakfast. I even turned s’mores into a dip.

However, nothing compares to the marriage of sloppy joes and Philly cheesesteak. It’s a rare and exciting match made in heaven. You absolutely have to try it. 

close up image of a pan of philly cheesesteak sloppy joe.

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Recipe

So what exactly is so great about this recipe? To begin with, it’s very easy to make. It’s much easier to cook ground beef than to perfectly cook thinly sliced steak for a classic Philly cheesesteak. Filets of steak are trickier than ground beef. I love the fact that I can get Philly cheesesteak flavor without the hassle of the whole steak.

I also love how juicy the meat is after it simmers in the beef broth. The broth helps get the taste of the sautéed peppers into the meat so every single bite of the easy sandwich is loaded with delicious flavors. The ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and ground beef make the sandwich have a sloppy joe feel, but the peppers, onions, and cheese make it more like a Philly cheesesteak.

This Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe sandwich really is the best of both worlds! The ultimate comfort food, it’s ready in just 30 minutes. It will definitely become one of your go-to lunch and dinner recipes!

ingredients to make philly cheesesteak sloppy joes.

Ingredients for Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions. 

  • Ground beef – I like to use lean ground beef that is labeled as 85/15. Fattier beef makes the meat juicier. 
  • Yellow onion – White onion or Vidalia onion will also work perfectly.
  • Green pepper – Green bell pepper has a strong, almost bitter taste that is delicious in this Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe sandwich. Red bell peppers will also work well and be a little bit sweeter. 
  • Sliced mushrooms – I like to buy pre-sliced mushrooms from the grocery store to save prep time in the kitchen. Simple white mushrooms work great. but baby bellas will also be delicious. 
  • Ketchup
  • Worcestershire sauce – Worcestershire sauce is essential to giving the sandwich its signature flavor. It is sweet, savory, and has a tangy, vinegar taste that is unmatched. 
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cornstarch
  • Beef broth – Beef broth gives a hearty, savory taste. I like to use low-sodium beef broth.
  • Mozzarella – American cheese, provolone cheese, or even Cheese Whiz can be used in place of shredded mozzarella. 
  • Hamburger buns – I like to use sesame seed buns. However, any kind of soft hamburger buns such as Brioche buns will work! You can also use long French bread or hot dog buns.

Variations

  • Use ground chicken or ground turkey in place of ground beef for a lighter version of this Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe sandwich.
  • Rather than serving the juicy meat on burger buns, try scooping it on top of a baked potato. This makes a very filling, hearty meal. 
  • Use Cheese Whiz to top the sandwich rather than mozzarella for a classic cheesesteak addition.
  • Skip the peppers in the recipe and just double up on the onions

How to Make Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

  1. Brown the beef: Start by cooking the ground beef in a large skillet. Break up the meat with a spatula as it cooks to make small pieces. Strain the grease from the pan once all the meat is brown. Discard the grease.
  2. Add the veggies: Add the chopped onions, peppers, and mushrooms to the cast iron skillet with the beef, and cook everything together until the veggies are soft. 
  3. Make the sauce: Whisk the beef broth and cornstarch together in a separate bowl. Then, pour the mixture into the skillet. Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, and stir. Let the liquid simmer for about five minutes, adding lots of flavor to the beef as it cooks. 
  4. Add the cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat, and sprinkle the cheese over the top of the whole pan. Then, let it melt over the beef. 
  5. Serve the sandwiches: Use a spatula or slotted spoon to scoop the meat and cheese onto the hamburger buns, and enjoy warm!
a plate with a philly cheesesteak sloppy joe sandwich sitting on a white round plate.

Quick Tip

Try scooping the cooked beef onto the burger buns before adding the cheese. The shredded cheese should still melt from the heat on the meat when on the sandwich. This will ensure every sandwich has a lot of cheese! It’s also a good idea to scoop the beef on top of the bread if you are using Cheese Whiz instead of mozzarella and making the sandwich more like a traditional Philly cheesesteak.

What to Serve with Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

I love serving these Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes with a side of air fryer French fries. The fries get nice and crispy in the air fryer as the sloppy joes cook on the stovetop. The sandwiches are also great with a side of potato salad or some crispy fried zucchini. 

How to Store Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

If you happen to have leftover Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes mix, store the cheesy ground beef in an airtight container in the fridge. The sloppy joes will stay fresh for three to four days. When you are ready to eat it again, simply pop the ground beef in the microwave, and reheat it in 30-second increments until hot.

Scoop the reheated beef onto a fresh hamburger bun and enjoy! This is a great quick lunch idea and a good extra dinner to have on hand. You may even want to double the recipe just so you have leftovers!

FAQs

What is the secret to a good Philly cheesesteak?

I think the sauce is the key to a good Philly cheesesteak. My recipe cooks the meat in a blend of savory beef broth, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. This makes every bit of the sandwich moist and tender. No need to worry about the beef being dry when you use this recipe!

What sauce goes with Philly cheesesteak?

While I think this sandwich is perfect without a sauce (it is already so juicy and flavorful!), you can add some garlic butter to the hamburger buns before you make it. This will boost the flavor of your sloppy joe sandwich perfectly! Dip it into a creamy horseradish sauce if you want even more spice.

What is traditionally on a Philly cheesesteak?

Philly cheesesteak sandwiches are usually made with sliced ribeye beef, cheese, and a hoagie roll. This simplified version may be the traditional way to make a Philly cheesesteak. However, these days, it is often made with sliced peppers, onions, and mushrooms. This sloppy joe version also adds a ketchup-based sauce and uses ground beef in place of sliced ribeye steak.

More Amazing Sandwich Recipes

A philly cheesesteak sloppy joe sandwich.

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are the ultimate sandwich! It's packed with beef, peppers, cheese, and a sweet-and-savory sauce that makes it totally irresistible! 
4 from 2 votes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6 sesame seed bakery hamburger buns

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef and cook while breaking apart until no longer pink. Drain grease.
    1 pound ground beef
  • Add onions, green peppers, and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until onions are tender.
    1 small yellow onion, diced, 1 small green bell pepper, diced, 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • In a small separate bowl, combine beef broth and cornstarch. Whisk until no lumps remain. Pour broth over meat and stir well.
    1 cup beef broth, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Let cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 5 minutes.
    2 Tablespoons ketchup, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Turn off the heat and add cheese to top of the beef. Stir slightly to melt.
    1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Serve meat and cheese mixture on sesame seed hamburger buns.
    6 sesame seed bakery hamburger buns

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 807mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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