This one merges the meaty taste of a Philly cheesesteak with the feel-good factor of garlic bread. Great as a dinner, for parties, or to share as an appetizer, this is filled with juicy ribeye steak, caramelized onions, and gooey melty cheese on a crusty, garlicky bread base.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Philly Cheesesteak Garlic Bread is the perfect marriage of two comfort-food legends. Think the robust tastes of a Philly cheesesteak, heaped on a crusty, garlicky bread foundation, then lined with molten, golden cheese. It’s great as a warming appetizer, a game-day snack or even a hearty dinner. The best part? It can be infinitely customized — throw in bell peppers for a blast of color or jalapeños for some heat. Let me assure you, this is sure to be on your menu regularly once you try it!
Key Ingredients
Italian Bread or French Baguette (not sourdough): Something sturdier works better for the heartier toppings. Italian bread offers a soft bite, and a baguette has get-a-crusty-nab in your mouth, just perfect.
Ribeye Steak: Thinly sliced ribeye is juicy, tender and loaded with flavor due to its marbled fat.
Onion: The rich-savory depth caramelized onions add balances the richness of the steak and cheese in this dish.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the bread a big, spicy aromatic kick that enhances the dish.
Provolone or Mozzarella Cheese, shredded: Delicious melted and gooey and creamy on top. The provolone lends a sharp tang, and the mozzarella, a low-key creaminess.
Olive Oil: To sauté the steak and onions, for richness and browning.
Optional Sprinkle of Toppings (bell peppers, mushrooms and centers, jalapeños): These offer both added flavor and texture, maintaining a colorful, customized garlic bread.
Full ingredients listing with measurements, plus additional method in the recipe card below
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Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Get Your Bread
Preheat the Oven:
To get the bread nice and crisp and the cheese melting, you will want to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the Bread:
Split your Italian bread or French baguette in half lengthwise.
Place the halves cut side up on a baking sheet. You will use them as a base for your garlic bread.
Step 2: Cook the Steak
Heat the Skillet:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
Cook the Steak:
In goes the ribeye steak, thinly sliced, to the frying pan.
Cook until the steak is seared and cooked through, seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Stir now and then to ensure even cooking;
Set Aside:
Remove steak from pan and transfer to a plate to rest, allowing the juices to redistribute.
Step 3: Caramelize the Onions
In the same skillet you used previously, heat a little more olive oil (around a tablespoon). Add the sliced onions and turn the heat up to medium; cover and cook, stirring from time to time. Allow them to soften and gradually turn golden brown; this should take around 10 to 15 minutes.
After the onions have started to caramelize, add in the minced garlic, and then another minute or so, just until it’s all nice and fragrant.
Step 4: Build the Garlic Bread
Spread the Steak:
Evenly distribute, place the cooked steak over each side of the incision sides of the bread.
Add the Onions and Garlic:
Distribute the caramelized onions and garlic evenly over the steak.
Sprinkle the Cheese:
Sprinkle shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese over the steak and onion mixture.
Step 5: Final Stages
You can also ad on some sliced bell peppers, mushrooms or jalapeños for some extra flavor and color.
Step 6: Bake
Bake in the Oven:
Transfer the tray of assembled bread to the hot oven.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling and gilded and the edges of the bread are crisp.
Monitor the Bread:
Monitor the bread to be sure it isn’t browning too quickly.
Step 7: Serve
Cool and Cut:
Cool bread for a few minutes.
Cut to individual servings.
Serve Hot:
You can eat the cheesesteaks right away, and relish the combination of crunchy bread, juicy beef, caramelized onions and melting cheese.
Step 8: Enjoy
Savor the Flavors:
For either a main dish or an appetiser, enjoy every delicious bite of your Philly Cheesesteak Garlic Bread!
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of Philly Cheesesteak Garlic Bread is it can be prepared more than one way. Here are some ideas for dishes to round out your meal:
Crunchy fries or tater tots: The classic comfort-food combo.
Side Salad: A small, sharp arugula or mixed greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette balances the richness.
Beer or Soda: A cold lager or straight cola cuts through the rich flavors and highlights the cheesy savory yumminess.
Tomato Soup: For a light spin, serve up a warm, cozy soup to dip into!
Storage Tips
Refrigerating Leftovers
Slices can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To regain the crisp, reheat for 5-7minutes in a 350°F (175°C) oven.
Freezing for Later
Assemble the garlic bread (but don’t bake it) and freeze it on a baking sheet until firm.
Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and keep for up to 3 months.
If you’re planning to bake, simply add a few minutes to the oven time, as they will go straight from frozen.
Variations
Class Philly: For a classic Philly cheesesteak experience, toss in some sautéed green bell peppers and mushrooms into the mix.
For a Spicy Kick: Add a tablespoon (or more, if you dare) of sliced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red chili flakes.
Cheese Swap: Cheddar or Swiss or a blend of provolone and mozzarella for more complex flavor.
Vegetarian Variation: Swap in large, meaty portobello mushrooms or seitan for the steak to make it a plant-based version.
Garlic Butter: For extra garlicky goodness, smear a mixture of butter, minced garlic and parsley on the bread before you put on the steak.
Conclusion
This Ultimate Philly Cheesesteak Garlic Bread is an epic combination that checks the flavor, texture, and satisfaction boxes. Crispy bottom, juicy steak, sweet caramelized onions and gooey cheese — better comfort food sorcery, if you ask me. Whether you’re having a get-together, need to feed a hungry crew or just want to spoil yourself, it’s an impressive dish. And don’t stop at the toppings and variations — make this your own, because this recipe is as versatile as it is delicious.
Philly Cheesesteak Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Italian bread or French baguette sliced lengthwise
- 1 pound thinly sliced ribeye steak
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- optional toppings sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the bread in half lengthwise and place the halves cut side up on a baking sheet.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ribeye steak and cook until browned, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the onions over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until caramelized. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Spread the steak evenly over the bread. Top with the caramelized onions and garlic, then sprinkle with cheese.
- Customize with optional toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, or jalapeños, if desired.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden. Keep an eye on the bread to avoid overbrowning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Slice into portions and serve hot.
- Savor the crispy bread, tender steak, caramelized onions, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect as a meal or appetizer.