These ground beef cheesesteaks are one of our favorite quick dinners, a hearty, cheesy take on a Philly classic that comes together in about thirty five minutes. For us that kind of easy, satisfying comfort food is exactly what real food for real life is about. They are the kind of dinner that delivers all the savory, cheesy comfort of a Philly classic on a budget, coming together fast with everyday ground beef instead of pricey sliced steak.
Ground beef is browned with onions, peppers, and mushrooms, seasoned simply, then topped with melted cheese and piled into hoagie rolls. These ground beef cheesesteaks deliver all the savory, cheesy flavor of a cheesesteak using budget friendly ground beef instead of sliced steak. Browning ground beef with onions, peppers, and mushrooms, seasoning it simply, and topping it with melted cheese piled into hoagie rolls gives you all the savory, cheesy flavor of a cheesesteak.
Browned ground beef with peppers, onions, and melty cheese piled into a roll makes these ground beef cheesesteaks hearty and satisfying.
Why You Will Love These Ground Beef Cheesesteaks
- Quick and easy. Ground beef cooks fast, so dinner is ready in about thirty five minutes.
- Budget friendly. Ground beef gives all the cheesesteak flavor at a lower cost than sliced steak.
- Hearty and cheesy. Melted cheese over savory beef and vegetables is pure comfort.
- Simple ingredients. Beef, peppers, onions, cheese, and rolls are the heart of it.
- Family favorite. Everyone loves a warm, cheesy sandwich for dinner.
What Makes These Ground Beef Cheesesteaks So Good
Great ground beef cheesesteaks start with browning the beef well, which builds deep, savory flavor. Cooking the onions, peppers, and mushrooms first lets them soften and sweeten before the beef joins the pan. Browning the beef well builds deep, savory flavor, and cooking the onions, peppers, and mushrooms first lets them soften and sweeten before the beef joins the pan.
A simple seasoning of garlic powder, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper is all the beef needs, letting the savory, meaty flavor and the vegetables shine through without overcomplicating things. A simple seasoning of garlic powder, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper is all the beef needs, letting the savory, meaty flavor and the vegetables shine without overcomplicating things.
The key to these ground beef cheesesteaks is melting the cheese right over the beef in the pan. Covering the skillet for a minute lets the cheese melt into the mixture so every bite is gooey before it goes into the roll. Melting the cheese right over the beef in the pan and covering the skillet for a minute lets it melt into the mixture, so every bite is gooey before it goes into the roll.
Optional Pro Tip: Melt the Cheese in the Pan
Lay the cheese over the hot beef mixture and cover the pan for a minute so it melts evenly into everything. For the best ground beef cheesesteaks, toast the hoagie rolls lightly first so they hold up to the filling and add a little crunch. Laying the cheese over the hot beef and covering the pan briefly melts it evenly into everything, and toasting the hoagie rolls first helps them hold up to the filling and adds a little crunch.
Tips for the Best Ground Beef Cheesesteaks
Brown the beef well and drain excess fat so the ground beef cheesesteaks are savory, not greasy, and slice the vegetables thinly so they cook quickly. Browning the beef well and draining excess fat keeps the filling savory rather than greasy, and slicing the vegetables thinly helps them cook quickly and evenly.
Melt the cheese over the beef in the pan, and toast the rolls before filling. Spoon the mixture in while everything is hot and gooey. Melting the cheese over the beef in the pan and toasting the rolls before filling are the two steps that make every bite hot, gooey, and satisfying.
Variations and Add Ins
- Classic provolone. Use provolone for a mild, melty, traditional flavor.
- Cheese sauce. Drizzle a cheese sauce over the filling for extra gooeyness.
- Spicy. Add sliced jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce.
- Extra veggies. Add more mushrooms or some sliced banana peppers.
- Low carb. Serve the beef mixture over greens or in a bowl instead of a roll.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store the leftover ground beef cheesesteaks filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the rolls separate so they do not go soggy. Stored airtight, the filling keeps for a few days, and keeping the rolls separate is the simple trick to leftovers that reheat without going soggy.
Reheat the beef mixture on the stove or in the microwave until hot, then spoon it into a fresh, toasted roll. The filling also freezes well for up to two months. The beef mixture reheats easily on the stove or in the microwave, then spooned into a fresh, toasted roll it tastes just made, and the filling also freezes well.
Serving Suggestions for Ground Beef Cheesesteaks
Serve these with fries, chips, or a simple salad, and add extra cheese or hot sauce to taste. They make a hearty, satisfying lunch or dinner the whole family enjoys. Served with fries, chips, or a simple salad and dressed with extra cheese or hot sauce, they make a hearty, satisfying lunch or dinner the whole family enjoys.
The cheesesteak is a Philadelphia classic of thinly sliced beef and melted cheese in a hoagie roll, as described in this overview of the cheesesteak. These ground beef cheesesteaks bring that same savory, cheesy spirit using easy ground beef.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use ground beef instead of sliced steak?
Ground beef is more budget friendly and cooks faster, while still giving you that savory, cheesy cheesesteak flavor. Ground beef is more budget friendly and cooks faster than sliced steak while still giving you that savory, cheesy cheesesteak flavor.
What cheese is best for ground beef cheesesteaks?
Provolone is classic and melts beautifully. American or a cheese sauce also work well for extra gooeyness. Provolone is classic and melts beautifully, while American cheese or a cheese sauce work well too for an extra gooey, melty filling.
What rolls should I use?
Hoagie rolls are traditional. Toast them lightly so they hold up to the filling. Hoagie rolls are the traditional choice, and toasting them lightly helps them hold up to the warm, cheesy filling without going soft.
Should I drain the beef?
Yes. Draining excess fat keeps the filling savory rather than greasy. Draining the excess fat after browning is the simple step that keeps the filling savory and satisfying rather than greasy.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. Mushrooms, banana peppers, or extra onions all work well in the mix. Mushrooms, banana peppers, or extra onions all work well in the mix, so you can add more vegetables to suit your taste.
How do I melt the cheese evenly?
Lay it over the hot beef and cover the pan for a minute so it melts into the mixture before filling the rolls. Laying the cheese over the hot beef and covering the pan for a minute lets it melt right into the mixture before you fill the rolls.
Can I make it low carb?
Yes. Serve the beef and cheese mixture over greens or in a bowl instead of a roll. For a low carb option, serve the beef and cheese mixture over greens or in a bowl instead of a roll, with all the same savory flavor.
Can I make the filling ahead?
Yes. It keeps for up to three days and reheats well. Toast fresh rolls when ready to serve. The filling keeps for a few days and reheats well, so make it ahead and simply toast fresh rolls when you are ready to serve.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Freeze the cooled filling for up to two months, then thaw and reheat until hot. It freezes nicely too, so cool the filling fully and seal it away, then thaw and reheat until hot for a fast, hearty meal another day.
What sides go well?
Fries, chips, a salad, or pickles all pair nicely. Fries, chips, a crisp salad, or a few pickles all pair nicely and round these sandwiches into a satisfying meal.
A Hearty, Cheesy Weeknight Win
These ground beef cheesesteaks bring all the savory, cheesy comfort of a Philly classic to your table fast and on a budget. Warm, gooey, and filling, they are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. They bring all the savory, cheesy comfort of a Philly classic to the table fast and on a budget, warm, gooey, and filling, a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Pile the beef, peppers, and melted cheese into toasted rolls, and add your favorite toppings. It is an easy, satisfying dinner the whole family will ask for again. Pile the beef, peppers, and melted cheese into toasted rolls and add your favorite toppings for an easy, satisfying dinner the whole family will ask for again.
If you love hearty, comforting beef dishes like this, you will also enjoy our high protein creamy beef pasta, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Ground Beef Cheesesteaks
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil and heat over medium high.
- Add the sliced onions and bell peppers. Saute for about 3 to 5 minutes until they are tender. If using, add mushrooms and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet and add the ground beef to the pan. Break apart and cook until no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together properly for about 2 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low. Place a slice of cheese over the beef mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and allow the cheese to melt, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- While the cheese is melting, slice the hoagie rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through.
- Once the cheese has melted, spoon the beef and vegetable mixture into each roll.
- Optionally, toast the rolls for added texture before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
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