GROUND BEEF PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS EASY

I’ll always remember the time my college roommate, bless her heart, tried to recreate Philly Cheesesteaks using…turkey bacon and provolone. While the effort was admirable, the result was… memorable for all the wrong reasons! Now, years later, I’m going to show you how to make incredibly delicious and satisfying Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks that are both easy and authentic-ish (we’re taking a shortcut, after all!). Get ready to sink your teeth into a flavor explosion that will have everyone begging for more.

Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks: Your New Weeknight Hero

Okay, let’s be real: sometimes you crave a classic Philly Cheesesteak, but you don’t have the time or the inclination to track down thinly sliced ribeye. That’s where these Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks come in! They deliver all the satisfying flavors you love, but with a fraction of the effort and cost. Trust me, this recipe is a game-changer.

Why Ground Beef?

Why not, right? Ground beef is readily available, budget-friendly, and cooks up in a flash. It’s the perfect shortcut for a weeknight meal without sacrificing flavor. Plus, when seasoned correctly, it mimics the savory goodness of traditional steak surprisingly well.

What You’ll Need: The Ingredients

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to create these delectable delights. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples!

• Ground Beef: I recommend using 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor and moisture. Leaner ground beef can work, but you might need to add a little extra oil during cooking.
• Onions: Yellow or white onions are classic for cheesesteaks. Slice them thinly for even cooking.
• Bell Peppers: Green bell peppers are traditional, but feel free to use a mix of colors for added sweetness and visual appeal. Red and yellow peppers work beautifully!
• Mushrooms: Optional, but highly recommended! Sliced mushrooms add an earthy, umami flavor that complements the beef and peppers perfectly.
• Provolone Cheese: This is the cheese of choice for a classic Philly Cheesesteak. It melts beautifully and has a mild, slightly tangy flavor. You can substitute with white American cheese or mozzarella if you prefer.
• Hoagie Rolls: Choose your favorite hoagie or sub rolls. Look for rolls that are sturdy enough to hold all the filling without falling apart.
• Olive Oil: For sautéing the vegetables.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a depth of savory flavor to the beef.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, and Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Optional Toppings: Hot sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, or your favorite cheesesteak condiments.

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks

Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying a mouthwatering Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak in no time.

Step 1: Prep the Veggies

First, slice the onions and bell peppers thinly. If you’re using mushrooms, slice them as well. Having everything prepped and ready to go will make the cooking process much smoother.

Step 2: Cook the Veggies

Heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the onions and bell peppers and cook until they are softened and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Add the mushrooms (if using) and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until they are tender. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef

Add the ground beef to the same skillet and cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the beef is browned, drain off any excess grease. Season the beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 4: Combine and Melt the Cheese

Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the ground beef. Stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and arrange slices of provolone cheese over the top of the beef and vegetable mixture. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt completely, about 2-3 minutes. If you want to speed up the melting process, you can add a tablespoon of water to the skillet before covering it to create some steam.

Step 5: Assemble the Cheesesteaks

While the cheese is melting, lightly toast the hoagie rolls. Once the cheese is melted, use a spatula to scoop up a generous portion of the beef and vegetable mixture and carefully transfer it to a hoagie roll. Repeat with the remaining rolls.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve your Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks immediately with your favorite toppings. Hot sauce, mayonnaise, and ketchup are all classic choices. And don’t forget the napkins – these can get messy!

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Cheesesteak

Want to take your Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks to the next level? Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years.

• Don’t overcrowd the pan: When cooking the vegetables and ground beef, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cooking in batches will ensure that everything cooks evenly and gets nicely browned.
• Use a good quality skillet: A cast-iron skillet is ideal for making cheesesteaks because it distributes heat evenly and retains heat well. However, any large skillet will work.
• Toast the rolls: Toasting the hoagie rolls will help prevent them from getting soggy from the filling. You can toast them in a toaster oven, in a dry skillet, or under the broiler.
• Get creative with the toppings: While provolone cheese is traditional, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like white American, mozzarella, or even pepper jack for a spicy kick. You can also add other toppings like pickled peppers, banana peppers, or a drizzle of cheese sauce.
• Make it a meal: Serve your Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks with a side of french fries, onion rings, or a simple salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Variations and Adaptations

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Spicy Cheesesteaks: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture or use pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
• Pizza Cheesesteaks: Add a spoonful of marinara sauce to the beef and vegetable mixture and top with mozzarella cheese.
• Mushroom Cheesesteaks: Add extra mushrooms for a more intense mushroom flavor.
• Chicken Cheesesteaks: Substitute ground chicken for ground beef for a lighter option.
• Healthy Cheesesteaks: Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, load up on the vegetables, and serve on whole-wheat rolls.

Serving Suggestions

Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks are a complete meal on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few of my favorites:

• French Fries
• Onion Rings
• Coleslaw
• Potato Salad
• Macaroni Salad
• Side Salad
• Pickles

Other Delicious Ground Beef Recipes

If you’re a fan of ground beef, you’ll love these other easy and delicious recipes. And trust me, they’re just as simple to whip up as these cheesesteaks!

Craving a juicy, flavorful burger? Check out my Crack Burgers recipe. They’re seriously addictive! Or, for a quick and easy one-pan dinner, try my Southwest Skillet. It’s packed with flavor and comes together in minutes. And don’t forget about classic Meatballs! My recipe guarantees juicy, tender meatballs every time. For a comforting and satisfying pasta dish, you absolutely have to try the Million Dollar Spaghetti. If you are looking for something more hearty and filling, then the Hearty Farmhouse Hamburger & Potato Bake is the recipe for you! And for a fun and easy appetizer or snack, try making Homemade Stromboli.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Want to get a head start on dinner? You can prep the vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You can also cook the ground beef mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to assemble the cheesesteaks, simply reheat the beef mixture and proceed with the recipe.

Leftover Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, wrap the cheesesteak in foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in a microwave, but the rolls may become soggy.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! A simple, delicious, and satisfying recipe for Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a casual gathering. I hope you enjoy making and eating these as much as I do. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and toppings to create your own signature cheesesteak. Happy cooking!

Easy Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks

Enjoy a classic Philly Cheesesteak flavor without the fuss! This recipe uses readily available ground beef for a quick and budget-friendly weeknight meal. Loaded with savory seasoned beef, sauteed vegetables, and melted provolone cheese on toasted hoagie rolls, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 650

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef 80/20
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms optional
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• 4 hoagie rolls
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional toppings: hot sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup

Equipment

• Large skillet or cast-iron pan
• spatula
• knife
• cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Toaster or oven (for toasting rolls)

Method

 

1. Slice the onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms (if using) thinly.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat.
3. Add onions and bell peppers and cook until softened and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Add mushrooms (if using) and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until tender. Remove vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
5. Add ground beef to the same skillet and cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
6. Once the beef is browned, drain off any excess grease.
7. Season the beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
8. Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the ground beef. Stir to combine.
9. Reduce the heat to low and arrange slices of provolone cheese over the top of the beef and vegetable mixture.
10. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt completely, about 2-3 minutes. Add a tablespoon of water to the skillet before covering it to create steam for faster melting.
11. While the cheese is melting, lightly toast the hoagie rolls.
12. Once the cheese is melted, use a spatula to scoop up a generous portion of the beef and vegetable mixture and carefully transfer it to a hoagie roll. Repeat with the remaining rolls.
13. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the vegetables and ground beef. Cook in batches for even browning. Toasting the hoagie rolls prevents them from getting soggy. Get creative with toppings: try white American cheese, mozzarella, pepper jack, pickled peppers, or cheese sauce. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a foil-wrapped oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or microwave (rolls may become soggy). For a spicy cheesesteak, add red pepper flakes. Try pizza cheesesteaks by adding marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Substitute ground chicken or turkey for a lighter option.