Philly cheesesteaks are a beloved classic, combining tender beef, melty cheese, and savory seasonings in a sandwich that’s hard to beat. With this Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak recipe, you can enjoy this iconic dish without the hassle of grilling or stovetop cooking. Using a slow cooker, you’ll create a rich, flavorful beef mixture that’s perfectly cooked and ready to be piled onto soft hoagie rolls for an easy and satisfying meal.
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You’ll start by layering thinly sliced beef chuck roast, onions, bell peppers, and garlic in the slow cooker, allowing all the flavors to meld together over a few hours. The beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the vegetables soften to perfection. Topped with provolone cheese and served on a toasted hoagie roll, this Philly cheesesteak rivals any sandwich you’d find at a restaurant. Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner or serving it at a game day gathering, this Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak will undoubtedly be a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Hands-Off Cooking
This recipe is made in a Crockpot, so you don’t have to spend time standing over the stove. Simply toss everything in and let the slow cooker do the work.
2. Tender, Flavorful Beef
The slow cooking process ensures that the beef is incredibly tender and full of flavor, making each bite melt in your mouth.
3. Customizable Ingredients
Feel free to adjust the vegetables or seasonings to suit your taste. You can add mushrooms, swap the bell peppers for something else, or even change up the cheese.
4. Perfect for Meal Prep
This recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, and leftovers store well in the fridge for easy meals throughout the week.
5. Restaurant-Quality at Home
Enjoy a classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich without having to leave the house. This recipe gives you all the deliciousness of a Philly cheesesteak without the hassle.
Ingredients
- Beef chuck roast, thinly sliced or shredded
- Large onion, thinly sliced
- Green bell peppers, thinly sliced
- Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- Garlic, minced
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Provolone cheese
- Hoagie rolls or sub sandwich buns
- Butter (optional, for toasting rolls)
Variations
- Cheese Options: While provolone is the classic choice, you can swap it out for American cheese, cheddar, or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
- Add Mushrooms: For extra texture and flavor, sautéed mushrooms would make a great addition to the mix.
- Make It Spicy: Add a few sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to give your cheesesteak a spicy kick.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free rolls to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by thinly slicing the beef chuck roast and vegetables. Mince the garlic and set everything aside. If you’re planning to toast your rolls, you can melt the butter now.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to Crockpot
Place the sliced beef, onion, bell peppers, and garlic in the slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir everything together to combine.
Step 3: Cook on Low
Cover the Crockpot and cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
Step 4: Toast the Rolls
If desired, spread butter on the inside of your hoagie rolls and toast them in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Assemble the Sandwiches
Once the beef mixture is cooked, stir it up to distribute the juices. Spoon the beef and veggie mixture onto the toasted rolls. Top with slices of provolone cheese and let the heat from the filling melt the cheese.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your Crockpot Philly Cheesesteaks immediately and enjoy the melty, savory goodness.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Thinly Slice the Beef: Thin slices of beef cook more evenly and absorb the flavors better. If you’re using a chuck roast, you can shred it easily after cooking if you prefer.
- Use High-Quality Broth: The beef broth is a key component of the flavor, so opt for a rich, high-quality broth for the best result.
- Don’t Overload the Slow Cooker: Be sure not to overstuff your Crockpot, as this can lead to uneven cooking.
- Let the Beef Rest: After the beef is done cooking, let it rest for a few minutes before assembling the sandwiches to help retain moisture.
How to Serve
Serve these Crockpot Philly Cheesesteaks as a hearty sandwich for lunch or dinner. Pair them with crispy fries, chips, or a light salad for a complete meal. For a fun twist, serve them alongside a bowl of beef broth for dipping, Philly-style! You can also enjoy them with a side of pickles for some extra crunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or warm in a skillet until heated through.
Freezing
This recipe can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let the beef mixture cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in a skillet or microwave.
Reheating
Reheat the beef mixture in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed to keep the mixture moist. You can also reheat the individual sandwiches in the microwave, but to maintain the crispy texture, it’s best to toast the rolls again in a skillet.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different cut of beef?
While beef chuck roast is ideal for this recipe due to its tenderness, you can use other cuts like flank steak or sirloin. Just be sure to slice it thinly.
2. Do I have to toast the rolls?
Toasting the rolls is optional, but it adds a nice crispy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft filling.
3. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can substitute provolone with American, mozzarella, or even cheddar for a different flavor.
4. Can I make this recipe with ground beef?
Ground beef can be used, but it will have a different texture compared to thinly sliced or shredded beef chuck.
5. Can I add other vegetables?
Yes! Mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini are great additions if you want to incorporate more veggies into your sandwich.
6. How do I prevent the beef from getting too dry?
Adding enough beef broth helps keep the beef moist and tender. Also, make sure not to cook it for too long or on too high of a setting.
7. How long can I keep the leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
8. Can I add hot peppers for a spicy version?
Absolutely! Adding hot peppers or a little hot sauce can give your Philly cheesesteak a nice spicy kick.
9. How do I make the beef extra tender?
Slow cooking the beef for several hours will make it extremely tender. If you want even more tenderness, you can shred the beef after cooking.
10. Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the ingredients the night before and refrigerate them, then cook it the next day in the Crockpot.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak recipe is an easy, no-fuss way to enjoy a classic comfort food. With tender beef, savory vegetables, and gooey cheese, it’s a meal that everyone will love. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a fun weekend gathering, this recipe brings all the flavors of Philly right to your home. Whether you’re serving it for a crowd or saving leftovers for later, these sandwiches are sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Enjoy!
PrintCrockpot Philly Cheesesteak: A Deliciously Easy Comfort Food
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 sandwiches 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Beef and Provolone Cheesesteak Sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food! Tender, flavorful beef combined with sautéed bell peppers and onions, all topped with melty provolone cheese—stuffed inside soft hoagie rolls. Perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, these sandwiches are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, thinly sliced or shredded
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 green bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 6–8 slices provolone cheese
- 6 hoagie rolls or sub sandwich buns
- 2 tablespoons butter, optional (for toasting rolls)
Instructions
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the sliced beef chuck roast and cook until browned, breaking it up into pieces if needed. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the onion, green bell peppers, red bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and caramelized (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to the pan. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Return the beef to the pan and mix well with the vegetables. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until the beef is heated through.
- While the filling is cooking, you can toast the hoagie rolls if you like. Melt the butter in a separate pan and lightly toast the inside of each roll.
- Divide the beef and vegetable mixture among the hoagie rolls, placing one slice of provolone cheese on top of the filling. Let the cheese melt for a minute before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier sandwich, you can add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
- For a classic Philly cheesesteak experience, you can swap the provolone for Cheez Whiz.
- To save time, you can also use pre-sliced deli beef instead of chuck roast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Sandwiches, Comfort Food
- Method: Sauté, Skillet-cooked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Beef cheesesteak, provolone cheese, hoagie sandwich, comfort food, quick dinner, Philly cheesesteak