Best Philly Cheesesteak Recipe with Peppers, Onions and Melty Cheese (Super Easy Skillet Version!)

Do you love a hot, dripping Philly cheesesteak recipe but think it is too hard to make? Good news! This is the easiest and most delicious cheesesteak sandwich you will ever cook at home. You only need one big pan. You use simple things from the store. You get eight huge sandwiches. Your whole family will cheer!

Why This is the Ultimate Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

A Philly steak sandwich is warm, meaty, and full of big flavor. People in Philadelphia stand in long lines for them. Now you can make an even better homemade cheesesteak in your own kitchen. We add colorful peppers and sweet onions. The cheese melts all over everything. It tastes like the real thing – only fresher!

This easy Philly cheesesteak recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or big game days. Kids love it. Teens love it. Grown-ups love it. It is true comfort food that makes everyone happy¹.

What Kind of Beef Works Best?

The secret is thin slices. Thin slices cook fast and stay tender.

• Ribeye = fancy and super juicy (lots of yummy fat).
• Petite sirloin or top round = cheaper and still amazing when sliced thin.
• Pro trick: Put the steak in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. It gets firm. Now you can slice it paper-thin with a regular knife. Easy!

Many home cooks use sirloin because it saves money and still tastes great. Ask the butcher to shave it for you if you want it even easier.

Full Shopping List (Makes 8 Big Sandwiches)

Meat and veggies

• 2 pounds steak (ribeye or sirloin)
• 2 large yellow or white onions
• 2-3 bell peppers (red + green look pretty)
• 8-10 slices mild provolone cheese (it melts the best)
• Salt, black pepper, garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons oil or butter

Rolls and extras

• 8 soft hoagie rolls or sub rolls
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 cloves of fresh garlic (for garlic-butter rolls – so good!)
• Optional: hot cherry peppers, mayo, or ketchup for serving

How to Make This Philly Cheesesteak Recipe – Step by Step (Only One Pan!)

1. Put the steak in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
2. Slice the onions and peppers into long, thin strips.
3. Slice the cold steak into super-thin pieces (like paper).
4. Mix soft butter with minced garlic. Spread inside the hoagie rolls.
5. Heat your oven to 400°F. Put the buttered rolls in for 5-7 minutes until lightly toasted.
6. Grab your biggest skillet (cast-iron is perfect). Heat it on medium-high. Add 1 tablespoon of oil.
7. Toss in the onions and peppers. Add a pinch of salt. Cook for 6-8 minutes until soft and a little brown at the edges. Scoot them to one side of the pan.
8. Add another tablespoon of oil. Spread the thin steak in the empty space. Let it sit for 1 minute without moving – this makes tasty brown bits!
9. Sprinkle the steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir and cook 2-4 more minutes until just done (still pink is okay – it keeps cooking).
10. Mix the steak and veggies together. Taste it. Add more salt if needed.
11. Turn the heat to low. Lay the provolone slices all over the top. Put a lid on the pan for 1-2 minutes. Watch the cheese melt into gooey magic!
12. Scoop big piles of the cheesy steak mix into the warm toasted rolls. Serve right away while everything is hot and melty!

That’s it! You just made the best cheesesteak recipe ever.

Extra Tips from Home Cooks Who Make This All the Time

• Freeze the meat a little = perfect thin slices every single time².
• Use a cast-iron skillet if you have one – it gives that real street-food flavor.
• Want it done in 20 minutes? Prep veggies while the meat freezes.
• Feeding picky kids? Cook peppers on the side or leave them out.
• Love garlic butter rolls? Toast them longer for crunchy edges.
• Make-ahead trick: Cook the filling, cool it, and store in the fridge for up to 2 days³. Reheat in the skillet, add fresh cheese, and fill rolls.

Fun Ways to Make It Your Own

• Classic Philly style: steak, onions, and cheese only.
• Cheez Whiz lovers: use that instead of provolone (very traditional!).
• Mushroom cheesesteak: add sliced mushrooms with the peppers.
• Spicy kick: top with hot peppers or sriracha.
• Low-carb version: skip the roll and eat it in a bowl with extra cheese.
• Party size: double the recipe and keep warm in a slow cooker.

Looking for more easy family dinners? Try this Healthy Banana Bread with Chocolate (no sugar, gluten-free) – it’s another crowd favorite! Or explore tons of Kale Recipes from Superfood to Super Tasty Meals. If you want lighter meals, these Healthy Low-Carb Slow Cooker Recipes for Weight Loss are life-savers on busy days.

Why This Skillet Cheesesteak is Perfect for Game Day

This game day Philly cheesesteak recipe is the ultimate party food. You cook everything in one pan, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen missing the fun. The house smells amazing. Everyone builds their own sandwich. Plates are empty in minutes!

Frequently Asked Questions

What cheese is best for a Philly cheesesteak? 

Mild provolone melts smooth and tastes classic. American cheese or Cheez Whiz are other real Philly choices.

Can I use pre-sliced steak from the store? 

Yes! Shaved steak or “sandwich steak” works great and saves time.

How do I keep the rolls from getting soggy? 

Toast them with garlic butter first – it makes a yummy shield!

Is this an authentic Philly cheesesteak recipe? 

It’s very close! Real Philly spots use ribeye and cook hot and fast. We just add peppers because families love the extra flavor and color.

In Conclusion – Your New Favorite Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

There you have it – the simplest, juiciest, most delicious Philly cheesesteak recipe you will ever make at home. Thin steak, sweet onions and peppers, melty cheese, and buttery rolls come together in about 30 minutes. It’s the best cheesesteak recipe for weeknights, parties, or anytime you need happy eaters.

What do you love on your cheesesteak sandwich – loads of peppers, extra cheese, or plain and simple? Drop your favorite combo in the comments – I read every one!

References & Inspiration

1. Valerie’s Kitchen – Philly Cheesesteak Recipe with Peppers and Onions – the one-skillet family version that inspired this recipe ↩︎
2. Natasha’s Kitchen – Philly Cheesesteak – awesome freezing-the-meat trick and clear photos ↩︎
3. AllRecipes – Philly Steak Sandwich – classic recipe loved by thousands of home cooks ↩︎