Philly Cheese Steak Casserole is loaded with flavor — a low-carb spin on the iconic Philly cheese steak that captures every familiar flavor in a satisfying and easy breadless bake. This casserole is a hearty casserole of spiced ground beef, tender bell peppers, and onions in a creamy egg mixture, all covered in melty Provolone cheese for that signature cheesiness.
The method is pretty simple; the ground beef is browned, then combined with sautéed peppers, onions, and garlic for a flavor foundation that’s reminiscent of a classic Philly. Layered with Provolone and topped with a custard of eggs and cream, the casserole cooks up into a rich, delicious form in less than 30 minutes and is just the ticket for a busy weeknight or happy family dinner.
The casserole is bubbling and golden when it comes out of the oven and has a creamy texture that will fill you right up. Serve it steaming hot and reap all the flavor of a Philly cheese steak in a dish that’s hearty, comforting, and deliciously low on carbs.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick and Convenient: This one-dish meal saves time on prep and cleanup, great for busy nights.
- Low-Carb Option: The sandwich roll may be the best part of any cheese steak, yet skipping it gets you all of the flavors in a low-carb, keto-friendly version.
- Picky Eater Approved: With its creamy, cheesy consistency and mild flavors, this is a dish that even the pickiest of eaters will love.
- Customizable: You can easily swap in different cheeses, vegetables, or spices for a personalized flair.
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Key Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef: Choose a leaner cut (90/10) to help the casserole not be greasy, although you can also use ground turkey if you’d prefer.
- Bell Peppers: Classic Philly cheese steak typically is made with green bell peppers, but mix it up with red, yellow, or orange peppers instead for a sweeter, colorful touch.
- Onion: Yellow onion sweetens and deepens it, but red onion will give you a mellow, different flavor.
- Provolone Cheese: Provolone’s creamy melt and mild flavor is classic in a Philly cheesesteak, although mozzarella or even a cheddar blend will work if you’re seeking a more pronounced flavor.
- Heavy Cream and Eggs: These lend the casserole its fluffy, rich mouthfeel, like a quiche or frittata. They also help hold the ingredients together.
- Seasonings: Seasoned salt is great for an added depth of flavor, and the Worcestershire sauce provides some umami and savory notes. A little drizzle of hot sauce, if you’d like, adds a bit of zing that cuts through the richness of the dish.
Full ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
How to Prepare Beef and Provolone Casserole
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to keep it from sticking.
Step 2: Prep the Vegetables
- Dice the bell peppers and onion into bite-sized bits and mince the garlic for more flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the ground beef.
- Spoon off any excess fat from the skillet.
Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables
- Add the diced bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef.
- Sauté until tender to provide flavor and texture to the dish.
Step 5: Season
- Mix seasoned salt into the beef-vegetable mixture, to taste.
Step 6: Layer the Ingredients
- Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Spread slices of Provolone cheese on the beef mixture for a creamy, melty layer.
Step 7: Make the Egg Mixture
- Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl until homogeneous.
- Spread this mixture evenly over the beef and cheese in the baking dish.
Step 8: Bake
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and cook for 20–25 minutes, or until the eggs are firm and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Step 9: Serve
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your beef and Provolone casserole!
Serving Suggestions
- Crusty Bread: Even though this dish is low-carb, for those who aren’t watching their carbs, a slice of crusty baguette or garlic bread is a fabulous addition.
- Salad: Accompany with a light, crisp side salad, tossed with vinaigrette, to help balance out the rich, cheesy flavors of the casserole.
- Potatoes: For a more substantial meal, serve roasted potatoes or mashed cauliflower for a low-carb side.
- Pickles or Pepperoncini: Add pickles or pepperoncini pepper on the side for that deli-style touch.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
- Refrigeration: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Microwave individual portions to reheat for a quick meal.
- Freezing: This casserole is freezer-friendly as well! Once portioned into individual servings, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or put in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat.
- Reheat: To keep the creamy texture, reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15 minutes or microwave on medium heat until heated through.
Variations
- Keto Philly Cheese Steak Casserole: This casserole is already pretty low-carb, but if you needed it to be even more keto, you could omit the onion or use a small amount of onion powder to decrease the carb count.
- Mushroom Philly Cheese Steak: Add sliced mushrooms into the vegetable mixture for a meatier texture and added flavor.
- Cheesy Twist: Try a combo of Provolone and mozzarella for more cheesiness, or use sharp cheddar if you want a stronger cheese flavor.
- Turkey or Chicken Option: Use ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken instead of ground beef for a lighter but still filling version of the recipe.
- Spicy Philly: For a spicier iteration, stir in diced jalapeños with your vegetable mix or add a dash of red pepper flakes to the egg mixture.
- Cauliflower Philly: To decrease the calories and carbs, swap in equal parts chopped cauliflower for some of the ground beef — the cauliflower will break into small enough pieces to disappear alongside the spicy beef, adding a few more grams of fiber to your dish.
Conclusion
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole is the ultimate comfort food with zero sandwich assembly required. It puts the familiar flavors of a Philly cheese steak into a dish that’s easy to cook, serve, and reheat. Whether you’re whipping it up for a weeknight dinner or prepping for future meals, this casserole delivers a cozy, satisfying bite each time.
Devour every cheesy, savory forkful!
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
- 2 bell peppers any color, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp seasoned salt like Lawry’s or Morton’s
- 4 slices Provolone cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp hot sauce optional, for a kick
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x9-inch baking dish by spraying it with non-stick spray.
- Dice the bell peppers and onion into bite-sized pieces, and mince the garlic.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add the diced bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in seasoned salt to the beef and vegetable mixture, adjusting to taste.
- Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to the prepared baking dish. Layer slices of Provolone cheese on top of the beef mixture.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the beef and cheese in the baking dish.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this comforting, cheesy beef and Provolone casserole!