Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout
Craving Philly cheesesteak flavors but want a quicker, easier meal? These Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes deliver that iconic taste in just 20 minutes. After making this for my family countless times, I discovered the secret is using a creamy cheese sauce to mimic the melted cheese on a Philly cheesesteak. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try these Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Sliders for another delicious sandwich option and For a sweet treat, try this Giant S’mores Cookie Dough Pie.
Why This Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout taste
- Creamy cheese sauce mimics melted cheese
- Customize with your favorite toppings
What You'll Need for Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 packet sloppy joe seasoning
- Sloppy joe seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Optional: Sliced onions
- Optional: Pickles
- Optional: Jalapeños
- Optional: Sriracha or hot sauce
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: You can also use ground turkey or a plant-based alternative.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and cooking → See on Amazon
- High-quality spatula — Prevents sticking and makes flipping easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Brown ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until beef is cooked through and vegetables are softened.
- Step 2: Stir in beef broth, cream cheese, and sloppy joe seasoning. Cook until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well combined.
- Step 3: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Step 4: Serve Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes on buns, topped with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout
- : For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños when cooking the beef and vegetables.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the beef and vegetables to prevent them from becoming dry. If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- : To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free buns and ensure your sloppy joe seasoning is gluten-free.
- : For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
Storing & Reheating Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make the beef and vegetable mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat before adding the cream cheese and cheese.
Freezing Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use pre-cooked ground beef and skip browning.
- Best substitution: Substitute the cream cheese with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the sandwiches ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to serve. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more beef broth to thin it out. If it's too thin, simmer until it thickens.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked ground beef every time → Check price on Amazon
Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 packet sloppy joe seasoning
Seasonings
- Sloppy joe seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garlic powder (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Sliced onions
- Pickles
- Jalapeños
- Sriracha or hot sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until beef is cooked through and vegetables are softened.
- Step 2: Stir in beef broth, cream cheese, and sloppy joe seasoning. Cook until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well combined.
- Step 3: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Step 4: Serve Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes on buns, topped with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use pre-cooked ground beef and skip browning.
- Best substitution: Substitute the cream cheese with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the sandwiches ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to serve. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more beef broth to thin it out. If it's too thin, simmer until it thickens.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can make the beef and vegetable mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat before adding the cream cheese and cheese.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 670
- Protein: 34g
- Fat: 48g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 155mg
- Sat. Fat: 24g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can make the beef and vegetable mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat before adding the cream cheese and cheese.
Overcooking the beef and vegetables can cause them to become dry. Make sure to cook them until just done and avoid overcooking.
Yes, you can make this recipe in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
You can substitute the cream cheese with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cheesy Philly Sloppy Joes Recipe – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
