Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy and delicious Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe. Perfect for busy weeknights, this hearty dish combines the iconic flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich with the convenience of a pasta casserole. It’s a complete meal that promises to satisfy even the biggest appetites, yielding over two pounds of savory goodness – ideal for family dinners and delightful leftovers.
Easy Philly Cheesesteak Casserole: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
There’s something uniquely satisfying about the rich, savory taste of a Philly cheesesteak. My husband, John, is absolutely obsessed with it! It’s actually a running joke between us because despite his passion for all things cheesesteak, we haven’t yet made it to Philadelphia to experience a truly authentic, traditional Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich firsthand. Our plans for a National Park road trip last spring, which included a stop in Philly, unfortunately had to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Having an authentic Philly Cheesesteak in its birthplace remains high on John’s culinary bucket list. Until that dream trip becomes a reality, I love bringing those beloved flavors right into our kitchen by creating various cheesesteak-inspired dishes. From Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers to Philly Cheesesteak Crescent Rolls, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with this versatile combination of steak, cheese, and veggies.
My latest creation, this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole, was born from a desire to make a new, exciting twist that would also be perfect for John’s lunches throughout the week. This casserole is truly a powerhouse meal, generously packed with tender meat and hearty pasta, ensuring it’s incredibly filling and satisfying. With over two pounds of ingredients, it’s designed to feed a crowd or provide ample leftovers for several days, making meal prep a breeze.
One of the best aspects of this casserole is how incredibly quick and easy it is to prepare. After just a few minutes of simple ingredient preparation on the stovetop, the oven takes over, allowing you to relax while your kitchen fills with the irresistible aroma of bubbling cheese and savory steak. It’s a hands-off cooking experience that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
- Effortless Preparation: This recipe is designed for ease, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Hearty & Filling: Packed with pasta, steak, and cheese, this casserole is a complete meal that will satisfy even the hungriest appetites.
- Fantastic for Leftovers: The flavors meld and deepen overnight, making this casserole taste even better the next day. It’s excellent for lunchboxes!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re feeding your family or hosting friends, this casserole is a guaranteed hit that appeals to almost everyone.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your preferences or what you have on hand, from different cheeses to additional vegetables.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cheesesteak Casserole
Crafting the perfect Philly Cheesesteak Casserole starts with selecting quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this comforting dish to life:
- Steak: For speed and convenience, we use Steak-Umms Sliced Steak, which cooks up quickly and has that classic thin-sliced texture. However, you can also opt for thinly sliced sirloin or ribeye steak, or even lean ground beef.
- Rotini Pasta: The corkscrew shape of rotini is fantastic for catching all the cheesy, meaty sauce. Feel free to substitute with other sturdy pasta shapes like penne, ziti, or cavatappi.
- Provolone Cheese: Sliced or shredded provolone is essential for that authentic Philly flavor. Its mild, tangy profile melts beautifully, creating a creamy topping.
- Onion: Chopped yellow or white onion adds a sweet and pungent depth that’s crucial to the cheesesteak experience.
- Green Bell Peppers: Sliced or chopped green bell peppers provide a fresh, slightly bitter counterpoint to the rich steak and cheese, adding color and essential flavor.
- Beef Broth/Stock: This forms the flavorful base for the sauce, ensuring the pasta remains moist and the casserole is rich.
- Creamy Mushroom Soup: A can of condensed creamy mushroom soup adds an incredible layer of creaminess and umami, making the casserole truly decadent.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and searing the steak, adding a touch of healthy fat and flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the flavors in the dish.
Optional Additions & Substitutions:
- Mushrooms: Sliced fresh mushrooms (cremini or button) are a classic addition to many cheesesteak variations. Sauté them with the onions and peppers.
- Lean Ground Beef: If Steak-Umms isn’t available or you prefer a different texture, lean ground beef works wonderfully. Just be sure to brown it thoroughly and drain any excess fat before combining with other ingredients.
- Cheese Varieties: While provolone is traditional, feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a blend of Italian cheeses would be delicious. For an extra rich, gooey texture, you could even drizzle a little cheese wiz over the top before serving.
- Pasta Alternatives: To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta. For a low-carb version, consider using keto-friendly pasta substitutes or increasing the vegetable content.
- Flavor Boosters: A dash of Worcestershire sauce can add a deeper savory note, while garlic powder or fresh minced garlic can elevate the aromatic profile. Red pepper flakes can introduce a subtle heat.
Tools & Equipment for Success
Having the right kitchen tools makes preparing this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole even simpler. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
- Large Pasta Pot: Essential for cooking the rotini pasta to a perfect al dente. A good 6-quart pot will give your pasta enough room to cook evenly.
- Large Skillet or Saute Pan: You’ll need a spacious skillet or a 5-quart sauté pan to brown the steak and sauté the vegetables, and eventually to combine all the ingredients before transferring them to the baking dish. This ensures everything is mixed thoroughly without spilling.
- Measuring Tools: Standard measuring cups and spoons are necessary for accurate ingredient proportions, ensuring consistent results every time.
- 9×13 Baking Dish: A large casserole dish of this size is perfect for accommodating all the delicious layers of this recipe. Make sure it’s oven-safe and sturdy.
- Wooden Spoons or Spatulas: Ideal for stirring and combining ingredients in the skillet, as well as transferring the mixture to the baking dish without scratching your cookware.
- Heat-Resistant Potholders: Safety first in the kitchen! I strongly recommend silicone or other heat-resistant potholders. After a scary incident years ago involving a cloth potholder and an accidentally-on burner, we’ve only used these reliable heat-resistant options. They provide peace of mind and protection.
- Vegetable Chopper: If you’re like me and struggle with onion tears, a vegetable chopper is a game-changer. It makes dicing onions and other vegetables incredibly fast and tear-free, simplifying your prep work significantly.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few tips can help you achieve an even more delicious and customized Philly Cheesesteak Casserole:
- Meat Options: If Steak-Umms are not readily available, thinly sliced sirloin or ribeye steak can be used. Cook it quickly over high heat until just browned. Alternatively, lean ground beef is an excellent substitute; simply brown it well and drain any excess grease before adding it to the mix.
- Cheese, Please!: Don’t limit yourself to just provolone. While classic, a blend of provolone and mozzarella offers extra gooeyness. For a sharper flavor, try cheddar, or for an authentic touch, a drizzle of Cheez Whiz when serving can be surprisingly delicious. If you can find shredded provolone, it melts even more evenly than slices.
- Pasta Perfection: Any sturdy pasta shape will work here – penne, ziti, or even egg noodles are great alternatives to rotini. If you’re catering to dietary needs, gluten-free pasta can be used without any changes to the cooking method. For a lower-carb option, consider reducing the pasta quantity and increasing the vegetables.
- Flavor Enhancements: A splash of Worcestershire sauce or a generous pinch of garlic powder and onion powder can significantly deepen the savory flavors. For a hint of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the mixture adds a subtle kick that complements the richness of the cheese and steak.
- Creamier Casserole: For an even richer and creamier texture, stir in 2-3 ounces of softened cream cheese along with the creamy mushroom soup. This addition creates an unbelievably smooth and luxurious sauce. A splash of milk or heavy cream can also achieve a similar effect.
- Sautéing Veggies & Meat: Always cook your onions and peppers over medium-high heat until they are softened and slightly caramelized before adding the steak. This brings out their natural sweetness and prevents a raw texture in the final dish. When adding the steak, ensure your skillet is hot to achieve a quick sear.
- Preheating is Key: Don’t forget to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking. A properly preheated oven ensures even cooking and perfect melting of the cheese.
- Serving Suggestions: This hearty casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed with a vinaigrette to add freshness, or a side of crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of delicious sauce.
- Storage & Leftovers: Store any leftover Philly Cheesesteak Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven. For longer storage, this casserole freezes well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Other Delicious Dinner Ideas
If you loved this easy casserole, be sure to explore more of our family-favorite dinner recipes:
- John Wayne Casserole
- Tex Mex Shells and Cheese
- Muffin Mix Pancakes (for a breakfast-for-dinner treat!)
- Kripsy Kreme Bacon Cheeseburger
- Bruschetta Chicken Pizza
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Casserole
Looking for more inspiration? Check out over 50 Dinner Recipes made with Beef. Don’t forget to browse our extensive collection of copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and our convenient Crock Pot Recipes for even more culinary adventures.
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Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe
Easy and Quick Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe that makes the perfect dinner meal and leftovers.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 384 kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 16 Ounce Rotini Pasta
- 16 Ounce Steak-umm Cheese Steak or ground beef
- 1 Onion chopped
- 2 Green Pepper chopped
- 18 Ounce creamy mushroom soup
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 8 Ounce Provolone Cheese sliced or shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Over medium heat, add olive oil to a large skillet. Add chopped onions and green peppers. Cook until they soften, about 5-7 minutes.
Add Steak-Umms (or ground beef if using) to the skillet with the softened vegetables. Cook until the steak is browned and fully cooked through. Stir in beef broth and creamy mushroom soup, mixing well to combine.
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the steak and sauce mixture in the skillet. Stir thoroughly to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer half of the pasta steak mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Top with half of the provolone cheese slices. Cover this layer with the remaining pasta steak mixture, then arrange the remaining provolone cheese slices evenly over the top.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, golden, and bubbly around the edges.
Kitchen Tools
- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Vegetable Chopper (optional, for easy dicing)
- Large Skillet or Sauté Pan
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 126
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