Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes highlight the best of both worlds with ground sirloin, tender bell peppers, onions, and melty cheese piled on top of buns in classic messy fashion.

This is one of those family friendly recipes that can really stretch a pound!

Why this recipe works

Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are clearly a cross between a classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich and a good ole sloppy joe. Instead of shaved beef like you would find in the sandwich version, we’re swapping it with ground sirloin so it lives up to its “sloppy” name. However, you still get that melty provolone, onion, and bell pepper taste!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

BEEF – I prefer to use ground sirloin, but any lean ground beef can be used, preferably 90/10 so you don’t end up with too much extra fat in the mixture.

CHEESE – We used smoked provolone cheese, but regular provolone will work just as well. You can also try cheddar, white cheddar, havarti, gouda, or mozzarella cheese! 5 ounces of cheese is great for this recipe, but you can use up to 8 ounces depending on your preference. I highly recommend shredding your own cheese from the block, as prebagged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents which can cause the melted cheese to have a gritty texture.

How to Make Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Saute the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add the red onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Saute until tender-crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Remove cooked vegetables to a plate and keep warm.
4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add ground sirloin, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Brown the meat with the seasonings. Drain off excess fat, if any.
   
   CHEF’S NOTE – We used ground sirloin as it’s leaner and we don’t need to drain it.
   
   
5. Add beef bouillon base and tomato paste and stir into the cooked meat. Add the reserved vegetables back to the skillet.
6. Add water and stir everything together. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow seasonings to blend and let the sauce thicken.
7. Stir in shredded cheese until melted. Serve on sandwich buns.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store any cooled leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the mixture on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through.

We did not include Worcestershire sauce in ours, but many people love it in their sloppy joes, so feel free to add a few shakes before the simmering step if desired!

Serving Suggestions

Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are a go-to for game days, especially because this recipe is easily doubled or tripled for parties. They pair really well with some chips, french fries, baked beans, or stovetop mac and cheese.

For a lower-carb option, swap the buns with lettuce leaves, and for parties, try them on slider buns if you’re serving them with a lot of sides to snack on.

More Related Recipes

• Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
• Philly Cheesesteak Dip
• One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta
• Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

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