Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joe Sliders
Equipment
- 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.
Ingredients
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
Instructions
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.