It was nearly a blood bath at the dinner table over who got the last one. I will be doubling the recipe next time!"

 

hilly Cheesesteak Casserole – Comfort-food with sandwich flavor in a bakeable format

Why this dish works

The classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich features thinly sliced beef, sautéed onions and bell peppers, and melted cheese tucked into a roll. This casserole version retains those flavor-principles but offers more convenience—and less risk of the filling spilling out of the roll. It brings:

• Savory, juicy beef (or ground beef) for meaty depth.

• Sweet sautéed onion + crisp/tender bell peppers for texture and brightness.

• Melted cheese across the top (and sometimes inside) to unify the dish and give that gooey-cheesesteak appeal.

• A casserole format (one baking dish) that’s great for weeknights, potlucks, or feeding a group.

• Flexibility: you can do ground beef, shaved steak, add pasta, layer in veggies or skip carbs for low-carb versions.

Sources show many variations: the Classic version uses steak + loaf or hoagie bread bits. Delish+2BettyCrocker.com+2 Keto/low-carb versions use ground beef + cream cheese + cheese topping. Keto Cooking Christian+1

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Ingredients (for ~6–8 servings)

Here’s a base ingredients list. I’ll follow with customization options and dietary variations.

Base ingredients:

• ~1½ lb (≈ 700 g) beef (either thinly sliced steak such as sirloin/ribeye, or ground beef ~85/15)

• 1 large onion (yellow or sweet), diced or thin-sliced

• 2 bell peppers (one green + one red or yellow) sliced or diced

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 Tbsp olive oil (or butter + oil) for sautéing

• Salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

• ~1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (adds savory/umami)

• 8–10 slices provolone cheese (or 2 cups shredded provolone) for topping

• ~4 oz (≈110 g) cream cheese (optional but adds creaminess) for casserole versions. Adventures of a Nurse+2The Forked Spoon+2

• ~½ cup beef broth (optional, adds moisture and helps meld flavors)

Optional Add-Ins / Variations:

• Mushrooms, sliced (adds earthiness)

• Sliced steak vs ground beef – for more authentic cheesesteak use thin-sliced steak. The Forked Spoon

• Pasta or noodles (for sandwich-to-casserole adaptation) – e.g., wide egg noodles in the Betty Crocker version. BettyCrocker.com

• Low-carb version: skip pasta/bread; add extra veggies or cauliflower rice.

• Extra cheeses: mozzarella, cheddar, American, white American for variation.

• Toppings: fries/tots layer beneath or above (for variation) Mighty Mrs

Equipment:

• 9 × 13-inch (≈ 23×33 cm) baking dish

• Large skillet (for sautéing beef/veggies)

• Spatula, knife & cutting board

• Oven pre-heated (I’ll note temp below)

• Optional: saucepan if doing a sauce/cream layer

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Here is a detailed guide, with explanations and tips.

1. Prep & Pre-heat

• Preheat your oven to about 375 °F (190 °C) (many recipes use 375–400 °F). The Forked Spoon+1

• Spray or grease a 9 × 13 baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter/oil.

• Slice/dice your onion and bell peppers; mince garlic; prepare the beef (either slice steak thinly against the grain, or use ground beef). If using steak, slice into ~1-inch strips or thin slices. The Forked Spoon

2. Cook the beef (and veggies)

• Heat olive oil (or oil+butter) in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Add the beef: if steak—brown quickly, sear just until done (you don’t want over-cooked tough beef). If ground beef—brown and break up. Season with salt/pepper and Worcestershire sauce.

• Remove excess fat if needed (especially with ground beef).

• Add the onion and bell peppers; sauté until softened (about 4–6 minutes) until onions are translucent and peppers softened. Add garlic in last ~30–60 seconds so it doesn’t burn.

• If using beef broth, pour it in now and let simmer briefly to deglaze the pan and bring flavor. (Optional).

• At this point you have the beef + veggies cooked.

3. Build the “casserole base”

• If using cream cheese: reduce heat to low, add the cream cheese and stir until melted and integrated with the beef-veggie mixture. This gives creaminess and binds the ingredients. (Referenced in keto & regular versions) Adventures of a Nurse+1

• Taste and adjust seasoning: maybe a little more pepper or salt; you could add paprika or steak seasoning if you like more depth. Some sources suggest adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. Ketofocus+1

4. Assemble in baking dish

• Transfer the beef-veg-cream mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

• Top with provolone cheese slices (or shredded cheese) covering the entire surface so every bite gets a melted cheese layer. Many recipes call for 8 slices provolone. Keto Cooking Christian+1

• Optionally: if you want to get a “bread” or “pasta” version (more sandwich-to-casserole), you could beneath the beef mixture layer cooked noodles (as the Betty Crocker version does) or hoagie roll cubes. The Betty Crocker version uses wide egg noodles. BettyCrocker.com

• If you want a crunchy topping, you could sprinkle shredded cheese or even crumbled bread/tots (for variation). See the variation with tater tots. Mighty Mrs

5. Bake

• Place the dish into the pre-heated oven.

• Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and slightly golden at the edges—typically ~20-30 minutes depending on how deep the dish is. The KetoCooking version suggests ~15–17 minutes when using skillet. Keto Cooking Christian

• If you notice the cheese browning too fast but the casserole not yet heated through, you can loosely tent with aluminum foil for remaining time. (Mentioned in the Bisquick version) By Kelsey Smith

• After baking, let the casserole rest for ~5 minutes before serving—this helps it set up a bit so it cuts more cleanly and the cheese doesn’t run everywhere.

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Serving & Pairing

• Serve hot, straight from the dish.

• You can serve as is (a one-dish meal) or alongside sides: a simple green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the richness, roasted vegetables, or fresh crusty bread if you included none.

• For a more “sandwich” feel: spoon the casserole onto toasted hoagie rolls or bun halves, top with a little extra cheese and pop under the broiler until melted. This replicates the original sandwich but in casserole form. Source: Delish version mentions serving with hoagie rolls. Delish

• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chopped green onions for color and freshness.

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Variations & Customizations

• Low-Carb / Keto Version: Skip any noodles/bread. Use ground beef, cream cheese, provolone, bell peppers. Many keto blogs show this version. Keto Cooking Christian+1

• Steak Version (more authentic): Use thinly-sliced sirloin or ribeye instead of ground beef. Sauté quickly so it remains tender. Source: The Forked Spoon version uses 1½ lb sirloin steak sliced. The Forked Spoon

• Vegetable loaded: Add mushrooms, extra peppers, spinach, or zucchini. Some versions mention mushrooms. The Fervent Mama

• Pasta or bread base: If you like more “casserole” style rather than low carb, add cooked wide egg noodles (or broken hoagie roll pieces) beneath the beef mixture to bulk up. Betty Crocker version uses 3 cups uncooked noodles. BettyCrocker.com

• Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes, jalapeño slices, or pepper jack cheese. Some mention this variation. The Fervent Mama

• Tater-tot crust version: Layer tater tots around the edge or beneath the mixture for a fun twist. Mighty Mrs

• Make-ahead or freezer friendly: Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate until baking time. Or bake, then cool, cover and freeze for later (thaw and reheat). The Fervent Mama site mentions this. The Fervent Mama

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Troubleshooting & Tips

• Beef tough or chewy: If using steak, slice thinly against the grain and avoid over-cooking. If using ground beef, don’t overly brown until dry.

• Casserole dries out: If you skip broth or cream cheese, you may need a splash of beef broth or extra peppers/onions to retain moisture.

• Cheese not melted evenly: Use a baking dish with enough width so cheese layer isn’t too thick; also rotate dish in oven if your oven has hot spots.

• Bottom layer under-cooked: If you use noodles or bread, make sure your base is cooked (e.g., noodles al dente) before layering. Cover with foil first half if cheese browns too fast.

• Too heavy / rich: Pair with a crisp salad or roasted veggies to balance. Use leaner beef or less cheese if preferred.

• Extra flavor: Deglaze skillet with beef broth or a little red wine after sautéing beef and veggies to capture browned bits. Some recipes use wine & soy sauce variations. Delish

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Full Printable Recipe

Here’s a full written‐out recipe for reference. Feel free to scale up/down or tweak.

Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Yield: ~6–8 servings
Prep Time: ~20 min
Cook Time: ~25–30 min
Total Time: ~45–50 min

Ingredients:

• 1½ lb beef (thinly sliced steak) or 1½ lb ground beef

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, diced or thin-sliced

• 2 bell peppers (e.g., 1 green + 1 red), sliced

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• Salt & pepper, to taste (~½ tsp each to start)

• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (optional for extra creaminess)

• ½ cup beef broth (optional)

• 8–10 slices provolone cheese (or ~2 cups shredded provolone)

• Optional: mushrooms, extra cheese blends, pasta/noodles/bread base

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef. If steak: cook quickly until browned but still tender. If ground beef: brown and break up until no longer pink; drain excess fat.

3. Season with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce.

4. Add onion and bell peppers; sauté 4–6 minutes until onions are translucent and peppers softened. Add garlic last minute.

5. If using beef broth: pour in now and let simmer ~1–2 minutes to pick up pan flavor.

6. If using cream cheese: reduce heat to low; add cream cheese and stir until melted and mixture is smooth/creamy.

7. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

8. Layer the provolone slices over the top, making sure coverage is fairly even.

9. Bake for ~20–30 minutes until cheese on top is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden. If the cheese browns too fast, loosely cover with foil.

10. Let rest ~5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions and serve hot.

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Nutrition & Serving Size

Nutrition will vary based on selection of beef, cheese, base (pasta vs none). Example: Keto version shows ~9 g carbs. Recipes by Ella The Betty Crocker version lists 260 calories per serving (with noodles and reduced fat cheddar) but is materially different in ingredients. BettyCrocker.com

Serving advice:

1. As a main dish: serve one generous slice plus a side salad or veggies.

2. As a sandwich alternative: serve scoop over toasted hoagie rolls.

3. For potluck: make in 9×13 dish, transport, reheat, and cut into ~8 portions.

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Why It’s Great for Week-nights or Gatherings

• One-dish meal – minimal pans.

• Flavor-packed and crowd-pleasing (meat + cheese + peppers + onions).

• Easy to customize (steak vs ground beef, low-carb vs pasta).

• Can be prepped ahead (cook beef/veggies in advance, assemble later).

• Leftovers reheat well.

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If you like, I can prepare a printable PDF version of this recipe (with scaling for 4, 10 servings), plus two alternate theme variations (e.g., “Southwest Philly Cheesesteak Casserole” and “Chicken Philly Casserole”). Would you like that?