Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes!

Introduction
Imagine the iconic flavors of a Philadelphia Cheesesteak – savory beef, sweet onions, crisp green peppers, and gooey cheese – transformed into a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying weeknight meal. That’s exactly what these Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes deliver! This dish takes all the deliciousness of a classic cheesesteak and combines it with the comfort and convenience of a sloppy joe. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a rich, beefy filling simmering in a single pan, ready to be piled high onto toasted buns and melted with provolone cheese. It’s a fun, flavorful, and family-friendly twist that brings a taste of Philly right to your dinner table, without all the fuss.

Detailed Ingredients

For the Sloppy Joe Filling:

• 1 pound lean ground beef: (85-90% lean is ideal to prevent excessive grease).
• 1 yellow onion: Finely diced.
• 1 green bell pepper: Chopped into small pieces.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Or to taste, for seasoning the beef and vegetables.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch: A thickening agent for the sauce.
• 1 cup beef broth: Low-sodium is recommended.
• ¼ cup A-1 Steak Sauce: Adds a distinctive savory and tangy flavor.
• 1 teaspoon steak seasoning: Your favorite blend, such as Montreal Steak Seasoning, for robust flavor.

For Serving:

• 4-6 slices provolone cheese: Classic for cheesesteaks, but white American or even mozzarella can be used.
• 4-6 hamburger buns, slider buns, or hoagie rolls: Toasted for best results.

Equipment:

• Large skillet or pan (preferably non-stick or cast iron)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook Beef and Vegetables:
   • Place a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
   • Add the lean ground beef, finely diced yellow onion, chopped green bell pepper, and ½ teaspoon of salt to the hot skillet.
   • Cook, breaking up the ground beef with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions and peppers have softened, about 7-10 minutes.
   • Once cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the pan.
2. Thicken the Filling:
   • Reduce the heat to medium.
   • Sprinkle the cornstarch evenly over the cooked beef and vegetable mixture in the skillet.
   • Stir vigorously for about 1 minute, ensuring the meat is well coated in the cornstarch. This helps prevent lumps when the liquid is added.
   • Pour in the beef broth, A-1 Steak Sauce, and steak seasoning.
   • Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until well combined.
3. Simmer and Thicken the Sauce:
   • Bring the mixture in the skillet to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
   • Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low.
   • Let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. During this time, the sauce will thicken up beautifully as the cornstarch activates. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly more once it’s removed from the heat.
4. Prepare the Buns:
   • While the sloppy joe mixture is simmering, prepare your buns. Lightly toast the hamburger buns, slider buns, or hoagie rolls. You can do this in a toaster, under the broiler, or lightly buttered in a dry skillet until golden. Toasted buns hold up better to the juicy filling.
5. Assemble and Serve:
   • Once the sloppy joe mixture has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat.
   • Divide the hot Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe filling evenly among the toasted buns.
   • Top each sloppy joe with a slice (or two!) of provolone cheese. The heat from the filling will naturally melt the cheese, creating that irresistible gooey finish.
   • Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious, quick, and easy Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes!

Tips, Variations, and Storage

• Cheese Options: While provolone is classic, feel free to use white American cheese, mozzarella, or even a cheese wiz for a more “authentic” (and divisive!) Philly experience.
• Add Mushrooms: For extra flavor and texture, sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions and peppers.
• Extra Veggies: You could also add a finely diced red bell pepper alongside the green one for more color and flavor.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture while cooking for a bit of heat.
• Hoagie Roll Style: If using hoagie rolls, you can top the sloppy joe mixture with cheese and then briefly place the open-faced sandwich under the broiler to melt and slightly char the cheese.
• Make Ahead: The sloppy joe filling can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of beef broth if it’s too thick.
• Freezing: The cooked filling freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Pairings

• Sides: Classic sloppy joe sides like potato chips, french fries, tater tots, or a simple coleslaw. A dill pickle spear is a must!
• Beverages: A cold soda, iced tea, or even a light beer would pair nicely.

Quick Info

Cuisine: American (Comfort Food / Twist on Philly Cheesesteak)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4-6