Philly Cheese Steak Casserole Recipe

Are you searching for a meal that feels like a big, comforting hug on a plate? Something that captures a truly iconic flavour profile and transforms it into the perfect family dinner? We certainly are. That’s why we’ve perfected our wonderfully rich, satisfying, and completely delicious Philly Cheese Steak Casserole Recipe. This dish has everything we love about the legendary sandwich—succulent slices of beef, sautéed peppers and onions, and an abundance of gooey, melted cheese—all combined with pasta and baked to bubbly, golden perfection. It’s the exact kind of comfort food dinner that makes everyone eager to gather around the table.

We have reimagined the famous street-food staple into a simple, weeknight-friendly casserole that’s ideal for feeding a hungry family or for planning your meals ahead. There are no complicated techniques here; this is a straightforward recipe that delivers incredible flavour without keeping you in the kitchen for hours. If you share our love for a good pasta bake, then you are in for a wonderful surprise. Consider it a marvellous deconstructed cheesesteak, where each mouthful offers a flawless blend of savoury beef, sweet vegetables, a creamy sauce, and glorious melted cheese. Let’s begin!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Classic Taste, New Twist: We’ve captured all the authentic flavour of a Philly cheesesteak and put it into a convenient, easy-to-serve casserole. No need to worry about messy sandwiches! It’s an excellent way to enjoy a much-loved classic.
  • Great for Guests: This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and can be doubled without any fuss. It’s a fantastic choice for family get-togethers, potlucks, or just for filling your freezer with tasty leftovers.
  • Weeknight Winner: With everyday ingredients and simple steps, you can get this incredible dinner on the table with very little effort. It’s a full meal in one dish, which means less time spent on washing up.
  • Wonderfully Versatile: Don’t hesitate to make it your own! You can swap the vegetables, experiment with different cheeses, or even introduce a little spice to match your family’s preferences.

Ingredients

For this Philly inspired casserole, we have chosen ingredients that are readily available and work together to create that signature, mouth-watering flavour. Here is what you will need:

  • 500g beef steak (sirloin or rib-eye), very thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2 green peppers, sliced
  • 250g mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 400g dried pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work well)
  • 60g butter
  • 60g plain flour
  • 700ml whole milk
  • 250ml beef stock
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • 180g cream cheese, softened
  • 200g grated Provolone cheese (or a mix of Provolone and mozzarella)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Your Casserole

Putting together this amazing cheesy beef and pasta bake is much simpler than you might imagine. We’ve organised the process into four easy-to-follow stages: cooking the filling, preparing the sauce, boiling the pasta, and combining it all for baking.

1. Prepare the Beef and Veggies

The core of any fantastic Philly cheesesteak is beautifully cooked beef, onions, and peppers. Mastering this initial step is key to a truly delicious casserole.

  1. Cook the Pasta: First, cook your pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water following the packet instructions, but make sure to undercook it by 2 minutes. It will continue to cook in the oven later. Drain the pasta and put it to one side.
  2. Sear the Beef: In a large, heavy-based pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over a medium-high heat. Pat the beef slices dry with a paper towel to help them brown nicely. Place the beef in the pan in a single layer (working in batches if necessary) and cook for 1–2 minutes on each side until just browned. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will steam the meat rather than sear it. Remove the beef and set aside.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: Using the same pan, add the sliced onion and green peppers. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring now and then, until they become soft and start to caramelise. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for an additional 5 minutes until they’ve released their liquid and begin to brown. Lastly, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside with the cooked beef.

2. Create the Creamy Cheese Sauce

This luxuriously smooth and rich cheese sauce is the element that ties our entire Philly Cheese Steak Casserole Recipe together. It’s a basic white sauce (or béchamel) made even tastier with beef stock and a generous amount of cheese.

  1. Make the Roux: In the pan you just used, melt the butter over a medium heat. As soon as it’s melted, whisk in the plain flour and cook for around a minute, stirring constantly. This mixture is called a “roux,” and it’s what will thicken our sauce.
  2. Build the Sauce: Little by little, pour in the beef stock, whisking all the time to keep the sauce smooth and free of lumps. Once the stock is fully mixed in, slowly add the milk while continuing to whisk. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  3. Add the Flavour: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Turn the heat down to low and add the softened cream cheese, stirring until it has melted completely into the sauce. To finish, stir in about half of your grated Provolone cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety.

3. Assemble and Bake Your Masterpiece

Now we get to the really exciting part! It’s time to bring all the components together to create a glorious, bubbly casserole.

  1. Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 190°C (170°C Fan / Gas Mark 5). Lightly grease a large casserole dish (roughly 9×13 inches in size).
  2. Combine Everything: In the pot containing the cheese sauce, add the cooked pasta, the seared beef, and all the sautéed vegetables. Gently stir everything together until the pasta and fillings are thoroughly coated in the delicious, creamy sauce.
  3. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the mixture into your prepared casserole dish and smooth it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the rest of the grated Provolone cheese over the top. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling hot and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown. For an extra crispy top, you can place it under the grill for the final couple of minutes.
  4. Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to stand for about 10 minutes before you serve it. This helps it to set a little, which makes for easier serving. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley, if you like.

Top Tips for the Perfect Casserole

To make sure your Philly Cheese Steak Casserole turns out brilliantly every single time, we have put together some of our most helpful tips and tricks.

  • Thinly Sliced Beef is Key: For the most tender results, it’s important to slice the beef as thinly as you can. A fantastic tip is to put the steak in the freezer for around 30 minutes before you slice it. This firms up the meat, making it much easier to achieve those wafer-thin pieces.
  • Choose the Right Cheese: Provolone is the classic choice for an authentic cheesesteak flavour. Its mild yet slightly tangy profile is the perfect partner for the beef. However, another good melting cheese like mozzarella makes a great addition, or you could even try a mild cheddar for a different take.
  • Don’t Overcook the Pasta: It’s crucial to cook your pasta ‘al dente,’ which means it should still have a slight bite. It will continue to cook in the oven and absorb the sauce, so undercooking it slightly at first is the best way to prevent it from becoming too soft.
  • The History of the Cheesesteak: For a little bit of culinary history, you can read about the origins of this famous sandwich on the official Philadelphia tourism website. It’s a great story to share at the dinner table!

Variations and Substitutions

One of our favourite things about a casserole is just how flexible it can be. Here are some suggestions for changing things up:

  • Try a Different Protein: If you’re not in the mood for beef, this recipe is just as delicious with thinly sliced chicken breast or even turkey mince.
  • Spice it Up: For a bit of a kick, feel free to add some sliced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the cheese sauce.
  • Go Low-Carb: To create a lower-carb version, you can replace the pasta with cauliflower florets. Just steam or roast them first before mixing them into the sauce. For more inspiration on low-carb bakes, our Low Carb Chicken Casserole is another brilliant choice.

FAQ

Q: Can I make this Philly Cheese Steak Casserole ahead of time?
A: Yes, definitely! You can fully assemble the casserole, cover it well, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake it. You might need to add an extra 10–15 minutes to the baking time when cooking it straight from the fridge.
Q: What is the best cut of beef for this recipe?
A: Rib-eye is the traditional option due to its wonderful marbling and tenderness. However, sirloin steak is a more affordable alternative that also works beautifully. The most important thing is to slice it very thinly against the grain to ensure it’s as tender as possible.
Q: How do I store and reheat leftovers?
A: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can reheat individual servings in the microwave, or put the whole casserole dish back into an oven preheated to 175°C (155°C Fan) until it’s heated all the way through. Adding a little splash of milk before reheating can help loosen the sauce.

Your New Favourite Family Dinner

So there you have it—a wonderfully warm, hearty, and incredibly flavourful Philly Cheese Steak Casserole that delivers the beloved taste of a classic sandwich to your table in an exciting new format. This is a dish that guarantees complete satisfaction, blending tender beef, sweet vegetables, and a creamy, cheesy sauce in every single forkful.

Whether you need a reliable weeknight meal or a comforting dish to enjoy with friends, we are confident this recipe will become a firm favourite in your home. If you enjoy creative pasta meals, you might also like to try our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe. We are so excited for you to make this casserole. Get your oven on, gather your ingredients, and get ready for a meal that your family will rave about. Please don’t forget to leave us a comment below to let us know how it turned out!

Recipe Card

Philly Cheese Steak Casserole Recipe


Pin Recipe
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

  • 500g beef steak (sirloin or rib-eye), very thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2 green peppers, sliced
  • 250g mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 400g dried pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
  • 60g butter
  • 60g plain flour
  • 700ml whole milk
  • 250ml beef stock
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • 180g cream cheese, softened
  • 200g grated Provolone cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 190°C (170°C Fan). Grease a large (9×13 inch) casserole dish.
  2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water, but undercook by 2 minutes from package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Sear the beef slices in batches until just browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, sauté the onion and green peppers for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes until browned. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. Remove vegetables and set aside with the beef.
  5. To make the sauce, melt butter in the same pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  6. Gradually whisk in the beef stock, followed by the milk, until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt, pepper, and softened cream cheese until fully melted. Stir in half of the grated Provolone cheese until the sauce is velvety.
  8. Add the cooked pasta, seared beef, and sautéed vegetables back into the pot with the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine everything thoroughly.
  9. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining Provolone cheese over the top.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition (per serving):Calories: —, Carbs: — g, Protein: — g, Fat: — g

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