Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes (Printable version)
Ground beef, sautéed peppers, onions, and melty provolone piled into toasted buns. A Philly-Sloppy Joe fusion.
# What you'll need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
04 - 3.5 oz mushrooms, sliced (optional)
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Sauces & Liquids
06 - ½ cup beef broth
07 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
08 - 2 tbsp ketchup
09 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
11 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
13 - Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
→ Dairy
14 - 1½ cups shredded provolone cheese (or mozzarella/cheddar mix)
→ Bread
15 - 4 brioche buns or soft sandwich rolls, split and lightly toasted
→ Garnishes (optional)
16 - Chopped parsley
17 - Sliced jalapeños
# Directions:
01 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until evenly browned throughout, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the diced onion, bell pepper, mushrooms if using, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and chili flakes. Mix thoroughly to coat the beef and vegetables evenly.
04 - Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and the mixture thickens slightly.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Sprinkle the shredded provolone cheese evenly over the beef mixture. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt completely, about 2 minutes.
06 - Stir the melted cheese into the beef mixture until well combined and creamy. Spoon generous portions onto the toasted buns. Garnish with chopped parsley or sliced jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It takes everything you crave about a Philly cheesesteak and stuffs it into the nostalgic, forkfree comfort of a Sloppy Joe.
- The provolone melts directly into the beef mixture, creating a creamy, stretchy sauce that soaks into the bun in the best possible way.
02 -
- Do not skip toasting the buns, an untoasted bun will dissolve into a soggy mess within thirty seconds and you will be eating this with a fork.
- Letting the broth simmer long enough to reduce is what separates a proper Sloppy Joe from wet hamburger meat on bread.
03 -
- Use a lid to trap steam when melting the cheese, it works faster and more evenly than trying to stir cold shreds into hot meat.
- The 80/20 beef blend is not negotiable if you want that juicy, diner style texture that makes this dish memorable.