Introduce something new to your weeknight menu with Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes, but don’t forget the extra napkins!
When I was growing up, my mom used to make sloppy joes all the time. She’d brown some ground beef with onions, make a sauce by adding some ketchup and water, and then ladle it over a hamburger bun. It was surprisingly delicious, given its very few ingredients and the cause for much laughter around the dinner table, as each time someone took a bite, tons of filling would fall out of the bun. When I’m feeling particularly nostalgic, I’ll sometimes make Mom’s version, but most of the time, when I am craving a meaty, saucy sandwich in a bun, I will make these delicious Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes.
Was the sloppy joe named as such because the sandwich was so sloppy to eat? It doesn’t seem so, even though it’s hard to be neat while eating one. There’s a lot of debate regarding who actually invented the sloppy joe—some say it came from Iowa, where a cook (named Joe!) in the 1930s added tomato sauce to the state’s famous “loose meat” sandwich; others claim that Jose “Sloppy Joe” Abeal y Otero was already serving sloppy joes at his bar in Havana, Cuba, in 1917. Speaking of Havana, another origin story for the sloppy joe comes from the owner of the Town Hall Deli in South Orange, NJ, who claimed a bar in Havana called Sloppy Joe’s inspired him to invent the sandwich in the 1930s. While we don’t know exactly which one of these stories is true, we do know that the iconic Philly cheesesteak was invented in Philadelphia, PA and that when you add the cheesesteak’s famous flavors—onions, peppers, and provolone cheese—to a classic sloppy joe, you get a positively scrumptious fusion of the two.
Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are a perfect weeknight dinner because they are simple to make and don’t take much time to put together. What makes them super flavorful is the rich sauce created from ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and savory beef stock, all thickened with some cornstarch. Make sure you pile the filling onto the bun so that some of it is guaranteed to fall out with each bite; otherwise, it won’t be a true sloppy joe!
Like all great sandwiches, Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are great with French Fries (and maybe some Ranch Dressing for dipping), but if you want to pair the sandwiches with something really tasty and also a little messy, I suggest these Baked Chili Cheese Fries.
Are Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Healthy?
As meaty, cheesy, saucy sandwiches go, these Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes do bring some good nutrition, too. The ground beef, cheese, and beef broth provide protein, and the onions and bell peppers both contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But there are some ways to make this sandwich healthier without sacrificing any taste.
Start by using the leanest ground beef you can find: ground sirloin is a great choice, coming in at 90% lean and 10% fat. Next, use beef bone broth (instead of regular beef broth), which is rich in collagen and other essential nutrients. If you are looking to lower the fat content, you can use a slice of mozzarella instead of the provolone, though reduced-fat provolone slices are available, too. And when it comes to the bread? You can scoop out the buns (and fill them with more sloppy joe!), use whole grain buns, or skip the buns altogether and scoop your sloppy joes into lettuce leaves, halved portobello mushrooms, or on top of a Baked Sweet Potato.
How to Make Ahead and Store
The cooked and cooled Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe filling can be stored in an airtight container and will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months (thaw overnight in the fridge).
Serving Suggestions
Crunchy sides are a must-have with warm sandwiches, I think, so try Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes with Onion Rings or Air Fryer Zucchini Chips. I also like to contrast the sandwich’s rich flavors with what a friend of mine used to call “a perker,” something tart or tangy, so I make these Bread and Butter Pickles or this Cucumber and Onion Salad to serve on the side, as well.
If you’re out of hamburger buns or you just want to change things up, there are lots of other things you can do with the Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe filling. It’s delicious, not to mention warm and comforting, on top of a bowl of Creamy Polenta or Baked Rice. And it makes an amazing Pizza topped with shredded provolone instead of the slices. Or make a batch of Garlic Rolls and fill them with the meaty mix for some sloppy sliders!
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
- Add ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the beef, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened, about 7 minutes.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the beef.
- Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Place a slice of provolone cheese on each bun bottom, spoon the beef mixture over the cheese, and cover with bun tops.
- Serve immediately while hot.
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