Looking for a fun, cozy, and totally crave-worthy way to shake up your holiday leftovers or add a crowd-pleasing bite to your Thanksgiving game day spread? Meet your new obsession: Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joe Sliders. These cheesy, beefy sliders combine the best of both worlds—juicy cheeseburger sloppy joes and the bold, savory flavors of a classic philly cheesesteak sandwich recipe—all tucked into warm slider buns and topped with gooey melted cheese. Whether you're hosting friends over Thanksgiving weekend or just want a casual dinner idea that still feels indulgent, this dish delivers comfort food satisfaction in every bite.
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joe Sliders
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 12 sliders (serves 4-6 people as a main or 6-8 as an appetizer)
Large skillet For browning the ground beef and sautéing veggies. A cast iron skillet gives extra flavor, but any non-stick or stainless pan works.
Medium saucepan To make the cheese sauce. A small pot with a heavy bottom is best to prevent burning.
Baking dish or sheet pan For toasting or baking the sliders.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring the beef mixture.
Whisk For a lump-free cheese sauce.
Pastry brush (optional) For brushing butter on the buns before baking. A spoon works in a pinch.
For the Filling
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef preferably 85/15 for balance between flavor and juiciness
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup beef broth low sodium
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese or white American for a more authentic philly cheese steak with ground beef flavor
- Pinch of salt
For Assembly
- 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls sliced
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional toppings: pickled jalapeños, caramelized onions, or banana peppers
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics and Peppers
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, green and red peppers, and cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and just beginning to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and stir for another 30 seconds.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until fully browned, about 7–8 minutes. Drain off excess fat if needed.
Step 3: Flavor It Up
Stir in Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, beef broth, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened but still moist. This creates that classic sloppy joe texture while keeping all the rich flavor of a ground beef philly cheese steak sandwich.
Step 4: Make the Cheese Sauce
While the beef mixture simmers, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk, cooking until the sauce thickens slightly (about 3–4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in shredded provolone until melted and silky. Add a pinch of salt.
Step 5: Build the Sliders
Place bottom halves of slider buns in a greased baking dish or on a lined sheet pan. Spoon a generous amount of the meat mixture onto each bun. Drizzle with warm cheese sauce. Top with the remaining bun halves.
Step 6: Butter & Bake
Brush tops of buns with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, just until the tops are golden and slightly crispy and the cheese is melty.
Step 7: Serve Hot
Serve immediately while warm and gooey. Add optional toppings like jalapeños or extra cheese sauce on the side for dipping.
Pairings
These philly cheesesteak sloppy joes recipe sliders are already rich and bold, so you’ll want pairings that complement their flavor without overpowering.
- Drinks: A cold lager or root beer cuts through the richness perfectly. For something cozier, a cranberry spritz (for a touch of Thanksgiving flavor!) adds a tart contrast.
- Sides: Serve with baked sweet potato fries, coleslaw, or a tangy pickle salad. Roasted Brussels sprouts with a mustard vinaigrette give a nice fall-themed balance.
- Dips: Extra cheese sauce (obviously), chipotle mayo, or a smoky ketchup elevate the whole experience.
These sliders also make a fantastic addition to a casual Thanksgiving leftovers party spread. Just heat up the filling and buns, and let guests build their own mini cheeseburger sloppy joes with a Philly twist.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different cut of meat instead of ground beef?
Yes, but ground beef is what gives this version its ease and that sloppy joe vibe. If you want something closer to traditional philly cheesesteak sandwiches, use thinly sliced ribeye or sirloin. However, for an easy philly cheese steak experience, ground beef wins every time.
2. What type of cheese works best?
Provolone or white American are the top picks for that classic philly flavor. You can also use mozzarella if you like extra stretchiness. Cheddar is fine but gives more of a cheeseburger sloppy joe feel than a philly cheesesteak one.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prep the beef mixture and cheese sauce a day ahead and refrigerate. When ready to serve, just reheat and assemble. This is a great hack for stress-free hosting around Thanksgiving.
4. Are there any vegetarian alternatives?
Yes! Swap the beef for sautéed mushrooms (like cremini or portobello), lentils, or a plant-based ground meat substitute. Just make sure to keep the seasoning bold to mimic the meaty richness.
5. Can I serve this on full-sized buns?
Of course. If you’re after a more filling meal rather than party bites, build them as full-size hamburger philly cheese steak sandwiches. You’ll get all the same flavor, just more of it.
