Skip to content

Easy Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

This Philly cheesesteak is a classic sandwich that is easy to make with juicy ribeye loaded onto toasted hoagie rolls and topped with gooey melted provolone and sautéed onions and peppers. 

Craving more sandwich recipes? Try these easy meatball subs, French dip sandwiches or this restaurant-quality hamburger recipe!

Philly cheesesteak on a hoagie bun.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Philly Cheesesteaks with Peppers and Onions

If you’re looking for a hearty sandwich that tastes out of this world, this easy Philly cheesesteak is the one! It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or you can add serve with homemade French fries, or baked sweet potato fries for a comforting meal!

Philly cheesesteaks are what I think of when someone says, ‘comfort food’. Toasted crusty rolls filled with meat, cheese, and veggies – if that doesn’t spell comfort, I don’t know what does! Plus, making them at home is so easy!

What is a Philly Cheesesteak?

These sandwiches started as street food on the East Coast as they make a great grab-and-go meal and were a tasty alternative to hot dogs. The original recipe contains thinly sliced pieces of ribeye steak and melted cheese whiz piled onto a toasted hoagie roll and topped with caramelized onions.

My homemade Philly cheesesteak recipe has a couple of tweaks from the original sandwich, but I think you’ll agree that it’s just as tasty! These hearty sandwiches are loaded with juicy pieces of ribeye steak and sautéed onions and peppers then smothered in a blanket of melted provolone.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Made in 30 minutes. From start to finish, this Philly cheese steak recipe is ready in 30-minutes! Four Philly cheesesteak sandwiches are plenty to feed my family of six.
  • Flavors and textures. The combination of seasoned seared steak topped with melted provolone and tender veggies served in a buttery crispy hoagie roll is what dreams are made of. It’s like a flavor bomb in your mouth.
  • Better than takeout. Making your own homemade Philly cheesesteak means you can skip the extra preservatives and sodium that’s added when you order at local fast food joints.

Recipe Ingredients

The classic Philadelphia cheese steak is a combination of steak, onions, and cheese on a crusty roll. We’ve also added peppers to this version of our cheesesteak recipe.

Sliced steak on cutting board.

See full printable recipe below.

  • Beef: We used ribeye steak which is a tender and juicy cut of meat from the rib area. I have a good tip below on how to slice the meat into very thin strips. If you can’t find ribeye, top sirloin or skirt steak would make good alternative options.
  • Vegetables: We kept it simple with just onions and bell peppers. Sometimes I’ll also cook a cup of mushrooms with the peppers. More veggies help the meat go further!
  • Cheese: The traditional Philly cheesesteak has American cheese (or cheese whiz) on top. I prefer provolone or Swiss cheese. If you’d like to make a homemade Philly cheesesteak sauce to pour on top, try our homemade cheese sauce.
  • Hoagie Rolls: These rolls are perfect as they’re long, flat, and crusty and can hold up to the beef and toppings without falling apart.
  • Seasoning and Oil: We went traditional by using just salt, pepper, olive oil, and butter.

What is the Best Cheese for a Philly Cheesesteak?

A popular choice is provolone cheese because it always melts so well! Traditional Philly cheesesteaks have one or more cheeses including provolone, American cheese, and Cheez Whiz. You can add any melty cheese you like!

What Cut of Beef is Best to Use?

Ribeye steak works really well when making Philly cheesesteak sandwiches because it remains juicy and full of flavor when cooked. If you can’t find rib eye, you can use top sirloin or skirt steak. These cuts of meat have less fat marbling in them, so be careful you don’t overcook them.

How to Make Philly Cheesesteaks

You can cook everything in one sauté pan or saucepan which makes clean up so easy!

Step by step collage making philly cheesesteak.
  1. Prep meat and vegetables. Season the steak slices and let them rest while you slice and cook the onions and peppers.
  2. Cook vegetables. Cook the onions and peppers until tender. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Cook steak. Cook steak slices in butter until no longer pink. Return the vegetables to the pan and toss to combine.
  4. Serve. Remove the pan from the heat, top the meat with cheese and let it melt. Divide the mixture between the hoagie rolls and enjoy!

Helpful Tips

  • Slicing the beef. Try freezing your meat for 20 minutes before slicing it. It will be firmer and easier to cut into thin slices. You could also ask your butcher to slice it for you.
  • Marinate the steak. You can try using an easy steak marinade for added flavor.
  • Add in: Sauté some mushrooms along with the bell peppers. Top with condiments like mayo or horseradish.
  • Toasting the rolls. We love to toast our hoagie rolls. Slice the roll 3/4 the way through and spread softened butter on top of the buns. You could also sprinkle a little garlic powder on top. Place in a toaster oven or broil for 1 minute, or until the edges are golden. 
Philly cheesesteaks on top of a plate.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best meat for a homemade Philly cheese steak?

Ribeye steak works really well when making a Philly cheesesteak because it remains juicy and full of flavor when cooked. If you can’t find rib eye, you can use top sirloin or skirt steak.
These cuts of meat have less fat marbling in them, so be careful you don’t overcook them.

Alternatively, you can consider marinating these cuts of meat to ensure they remain tender. Check out the tips section for more info on marinating steak!

Storing and Reheating

Once you make a homemade Philly cheesesteak, you’ll want to eat it right away while it’s hot!

  • Store in the fridge: Any leftover cooked meat and vegetables can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Store in the freezer: You can also put the meat and vegetables into a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to one month.
  • To reheat in the microwave: Put leftovers into a microwave-safe dish, cover with a paper towel, and heat for 30 seconds. Stir and continue to heat in 15-second intervals until warmed through.
  • To reheat in a skillet: Add a little butter to a skillet and reheat over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
Philly cheesesteak on a hoagie bun in basket.

Craving more sandwiches? Try a tuna melt, BBQ brisket sandwiches or a delicious grilled Caprese sandwich.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Browse all

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!

Philly cheesesteak on a hoagie bun in basket.

Easy Philly Cheesesteak

5 from 3 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This Philly cheesesteak is a classic sandwich that is easy to make with juicy ribeye loaded onto toasted hoagie rolls and topped with gooey melted provolone and sautéed onions and peppers. 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ribeye steak , sliced into very thin strips
  • ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion , sliced
  • 1-2 bell peppers , sliced (optional)
  • 4 slices provolone cheese , see notes
  • 4 Hoagie rolls , see notes for toasting
  • 1-2 Tablespoons salted butter

Instructions

  • Season the steak slices with salt and pepper. Let rest 5 minutes.
  • In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and bell peppers, if desired. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  • Add the butter and steak slices to the pan. Sauté about 3 minutes, or until the beef is no longer pink. Return the vegetables to the pan and toss to combine. Season to taste.
  • Remove from heat. Place the cheese on top of the hot meat and let sit until melted.
  • Divide the mixture into 4 hoagie buns. Serve while hot!

Notes

Steak: To slice your beef extra thin, try freezing it for about 20 minutes before slicing. It will be more firm.  If you can’t find ribeye, you could also use top sirloin or skirt steak, 
Cheese: The traditional Philly Cheesesteak has American cheese (or cheese whiz) on top. I prefer the provolone or swiss cheese, but use what you prefer. If you’d like to make a Philly Cheesesteak sauce to pour on top, try our homemade cheese sauce.
Vegetables: The traditional does not have peppers, however, I love to add them for more flavor. Sometimes I’ll also cook a cup of mushrooms in with the peppers as well. It also helps take the meat further. 
Toasting rolls: We love to toast our hoagie rolls. Slice the roll 3/4 the way through and spread softened butter on top of the buns. You could also sprinkle a little garlic powder on top. Place in a toaster oven or broil for 1 minute, or until the edges are golden. 
Serving: 1 hoagie serves 2 to 3 of my children. 4 is plenty for my family of 6. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 870mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1205IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Let’s connect

Join our community of over 5 million!

Featured on

  • Taste of Home
  • Martha Stewart
  • Country Living
  • BuzzFeed
  • Yahoo
  • Food Network
  • Today