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If you love a Philly Cheesesteak, then you are going to love this super easy and delicious recipe for Philly Cheesesteak Cheesy Bread. All the smoky goodness of the classic sandwich—tender beef and sautéed onions, bell peppers and mushrooms—piled high on a loaf of crusty, toasty bread, smothered in melted cheese. It’s a speedy, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s great for game nights, family dinners, or when you’re simply craving something hearty and indulgent.
As a fan of classic Philly cheesesteaks and cheesy bread, this recipe was like a dream come true — for me! It has the best of both worlds — juicy, flavorful beef, covered in sautéed peppers, onions and mushrooms, crowned in melty cheese and packed into crisp, toasted French bread. I remember when I first made this dish, my family demolished it in minutes. Since then, it’s been my everything for casual get-togethers and even quick weeknight dinners. This recipe offers the best part of some versatility, serving it as a filling snack or as a main course that will be a hit either way!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe distills the Philly cheesesteak into its easiest, cheesiest form; it translates beautifully into a no-fuss, cheesy bread for the busiest of weeknights.
- Packed with flavor: From seasoned ground beef, sautéed veggies, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, each bite explodes with savory goodness.
- Versatile: Switch up the types of bread, cheese or even replace the ground beef with steak slices to your liking.
- Great for Sharing: Cut it up to make a fun appetizer for a party, or eat it as an entree, the choice is yours!
Want to dig into this cheesy, meaty goodness? Let’s get cooking!
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this cheesy grilled bread:
- French Bread: This is your base for all the Philly-style action that’s going on top. Choose a nice, sturdy loaf that can withstand all of the layers and not fall apart.
- Ground Beef: I prefer lean ground beef (93% lean) for flavor without too much grease. Nobody wants soggy bread!
Sweet Onion, Green Bell Pepper, and Mushrooms: These vegetables provide the classic cheesesteak flavors. - Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a layer of deep and savory flavor to the beef.
- Beef Broth and Cornstarch: Also a kind of quick-thickening roux, can be mixed into the meat filling.
- Or Shredded Cheese: Provolone or Monterey Jack are delicious options that melt well
- Red Pepper Flakes: For a little heat and added depth.
Directions
- Prime the Bread: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut a loaf of French bread in half, lengthwise, and hollow out a little of what’s inside, just enough to create a shallow well. Slather each half with mayonnaise for creaminess and to prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- Brown the Beef and Veggies: Sauté chopped onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms in some olive oil until soft. Add the beef and cook, stirring, until browned. Add Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Thicken with a cornstarch and beef broth slurry, simmering until the sauce is smooth and thick.
- Build the Bread: Spoon the beef and veggie mixture evenly over each half of the bread. Generously top with shredded cheese.
- Bake and Serve: Bake for 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden. Broil for a few minutes longer for crispness, then slice and serve warm.
Then are you ready to jump over and see the whole recipe and make this cheesy savory dish? Let’s get started below!
Serving Suggestions
This Philly Cheesesteak Cheesy Bread is delicious all by itself, but if you want to turn it into a complete meal, here are some possible side dishes:
Caesar Salad: The crispy, tangy cheesiness of a Caesar salad works perfectly with the cheesy bread.
Oven-roasted veg: think about roasting some asparagus or Broccoli or Brussels sprouts. They’re a delicious and healthy side dish that nicely offsets the rest of the meal.
Potato Wedges: A handful of crispy oven-baked potato wedges on the side makes this a warm, comforting feel-good dish.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Got leftovers? Just stick ‘em in an airtight container and put in the fridge. (She says they’ll stay fresh for 3 days.)
Reheating: To reheat, lay slices on a baking sheet and warm in a 350-degree oven until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.
Freezing: The unbaked bread halves can be frozen. Assemble as instructed, but leave out the baking part. Tightly wrap each half in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. To bake, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
Variations to Try
Steak version: Substitute thinly sliced ribeye steak for the ground beef. Sear the steak slices in the skillet before you add them to the bread for a more authentic Philly cheesesteak flavor.
Chicken Philly Cheesesteak: Use ground Chicken or thin sliced chicken breast instead of ground beef. A dash or two more Worcestershire for depth.
Veggie Delight: Keep the meat, and add a rainbow of sautéed veggies, like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and even spinach. Use a combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella for the cheese.
Final Note
This Cheesy Bread with Philly Cheesesteak is the ultimate fusion of two comfort food classics. Whether you’re featuring it as a game day snack or a weeknight dinner, it’s sure to become an instant hit at your house. And don’t feel shy to take creative liberty—feel free to try different cheeses, meats, or veggies to customize it to your ideal version.
Happy cooking, and dig in to each cheesy, toasty bite!
Philly Cheesesteak Cheesy Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread cut in half lengthwise
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion diced
- 1 small green bell pepper diced
- 4 oz button mushrooms diced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp coarse salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/3 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Provolone or Monterey Jack cheese
- to taste red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the French bread in half lengthwise and scoop out some of the inside to create a shallow well.
- Spread mayonnaise over each half of the bread. This will add an extra creamy layer and prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms until they start to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and beef broth until smooth. Add to the skillet and simmer until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Spoon the beef and veggie mixture evenly over each half of the bread.
- Top with shredded Provolone or Monterey Jack cheese.
- Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- If desired, broil for the last 1-2 minutes to get a golden, crispy top.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a little heat, if desired.
