Oh, you are going to LOVE this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole! Seriously, if you’re looking for pure comfort in a dish, this is it. It’s like all the amazing flavors of that classic sandwich, but baked into this warm, cheesy, bubbly casserole. It’s so much easier than trying to wrangle all those ingredients into a roll, and trust me, it’s a total hit with everyone. I whip this up when I need something fuss-free but totally satisfying, especially on a busy weeknight. It’s become my go-to for a reason – it just makes everyone happy!
Why You’ll Love This Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Seriously, this casserole is a weeknight warrior! Here’s why it’s going to be your new favorite:
- Super Quick Prep: You can get this into the oven in about 15 minutes flat. Perfect for those nights when you’re starving and don’t have hours to cook.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything happens in one skillet and then into the baking dish. That means fewer dishes to wash, which is a HUGE win in my book!
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: Who doesn’t love the taste of a cheesesteak? All those savory beef, veggie, and melty cheese vibes are packed into every bite. It’s a flavor explosion!
- Hearty & Filling: This isn’t just a light meal; it’s a proper, stick-to-your-ribs kind of dinner that will keep everyone satisfied.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Perfect Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Alright, let’s get down to business! To make this amazing Philly Cheesesteak Casserole, you’ll need a few key players. First up, grab about a pound of ground beef – I usually go for 80/20 for the best flavor. Then, we need our veggies: one big onion, sliced up thin, one green bell pepper, also sliced, and about 8 ounces of mushrooms, sliced up too. Don’t forget two cloves of garlic, minced nice and fine. For seasoning, it’s a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, half a teaspoon of dried oregano, and if you like a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes – totally optional but I love it!
Now for the creamy magic: one can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, half a cup of milk, and 4 ounces of cream cheese that’s been softened so it mixes in smoothly. We’ll also need 8 ounces of provolone cheese, shredded – this is key for that gooey, melty topping! And for our crunchy topping, you’ll need a quarter cup of melted butter and one cup of bread crumbs. That’s it! Simple ingredients that come together to make something truly spectacular.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is honestly a breeze. First things first, you’re going to want to preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Get that going so it’s nice and hot when we’re ready.
Prepare the Base of Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Grab a big skillet and toss in your pound of ground beef. Brown it all up over medium heat. Once it’s all cooked through, do yourself a favor and drain off any extra grease. Nobody wants a greasy casserole, right? This step is super important for the texture!
Sauté the Classic Philly Cheesesteak Vegetables
Now, into that same skillet (less washing, woohoo!) add your sliced onion, green bell pepper, and mushrooms. Let them cook down until they start to get nice and soft, usually about 5 to 7 minutes. Then, stir in your minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and those optional red pepper flakes if you’re feeling brave! Let that cook for just another minute until you can really smell that amazing fragrance.
Create the Creamy Cheesesteak Sauce
In a separate bowl, it’s time to make the magic happen. Whisk together that can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, the milk, and your softened cream cheese. Keep whisking until it’s all smooth and creamy. This is what’s going to bind everything together and make it so luscious.
Assemble and Top Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Pour that dreamy soup mixture right over your beef and veggies in the skillet. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Now, gently fold in about half of your shredded provolone cheese. Once that’s mixed in, spread this whole glorious mixture evenly into your 9×13 inch baking dish. For the topping, just mix that melted butter with the bread crumbs in a little bowl, then sprinkle it all over the top of the casserole. Finally, sprinkle the rest of that provolone cheese right on top of the bread crumbs.
Bake Your Delicious Philly Cheesesteak Casserole to Perfection
Pop that into your preheated oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for it to be bubbly around the edges and for that cheese on top to be all melted and just starting to get a little golden brown. It smells incredible at this point! Once it’s out, let it sit for a few minutes before you dive in. This just helps everything settle and makes it easier to serve.
Essential Equipment for Crafting Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
To whip up this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole, you don’t need anything too fancy! Just make sure you have a good, large skillet for browning the beef and veggies. You’ll also want a couple of mixing bowls – one for the creamy sauce and another small one for the breadcrumb topping. A whisk is a must for getting that sauce nice and smooth. Of course, grab your measuring cups and spoons so everything is just right. And finally, you’ll need a 9×13 inch baking dish to get this deliciousness baked up perfectly.
Tips for a Winning Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Okay, so you want your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole to be absolutely perfect, right? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up. First, when you’re sautéing those veggies – the onions, peppers, and mushrooms – don’t let them get mushy! Just cook them until they’re tender-crisp. That way, they still have a little bite in the casserole. Also, make sure your cream cheese is *really* softened. If it’s cold, you’ll end up with little lumps in your sauce, and nobody wants that. A quick 30 seconds in the microwave usually does the trick! And don’t be afraid to taste as you go. If you like things a little spicier, add more red pepper flakes! It’s your casserole, make it yours!
Variations on Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
One of the best things about this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is how easy it is to switch things up! If you’re not a huge fan of provolone, try swapping it out for Gruyere – it adds a nutty, slightly different flavor that’s really yummy. Want to kick things up a notch? Toss in some thinly sliced jalapeños with the other veggies for a little spicy surprise. And if you happen to have some leftover cooked steak from a previous meal, you can totally chop that up and use it instead of ground beef. Just make sure it’s seasoned well! It’s all about making it your own perfect comfort meal.
Serving Suggestions for Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
This Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is so hearty and flavorful, it really shines on its own! But if you want to round out the meal, I love serving it with something fresh and green to cut through all that cheesy goodness. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is perfect. Or, you could steam up some broccoli or roast some asparagus – they’re easy and taste great alongside the casserole. It just makes the whole meal feel a little more complete!
Storing and Reheating Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Once your amazing Philly Cheesesteak Casserole has cooled down a bit, just pop any extra into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll keep well for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready for round two, you can gently reheat it in the microwave for a quick fix, or for the best texture, pop a portion into a preheated oven at around 350°F (175°C) until it’s warmed through and bubbly again. Delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions About Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Got some burning questions about this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole? I’ve got you covered!
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
You sure can! You can totally assemble the casserole (up to the baking step) a day in advance. Just cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to get it nice and bubbly.
Q: What kind of ground beef is best for this casserole?
I usually go for 80/20 ground beef because it has a good balance of fat for flavor and moisture. But 85/15 works great too! Just make sure you drain off any excess grease after browning.
Q: Can I use a different type of condensed soup?
While cream of mushroom is classic here, you could try cream of celery or even cream of chicken if you prefer. Just know it might slightly change the overall flavor profile. Stick with condensed soups for the right consistency!
Q: How can I make this a lower-carb option?
To cut down on carbs, you could swap the bread crumbs for crushed pork rinds or even some crushed, unseasoned pork chop crumbs. You’d still get that yummy crunchy topping without all the carbs!
Nutritional Estimate for Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info here is an estimate, okay? It can change a bit depending on the brands you use and exactly how you make it. But generally, a serving of this delicious Philly Cheesesteak Casserole comes in around 550 calories, with about 35g of fat, 30g of protein, and 25g of carbohydrates. It’s a hearty meal, for sure!
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Glorious Philly Cheesesteak Casserole: 15 Min Prep
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and easy Philly Cheesesteak Casserole that captures the classic flavors in a baked dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz provolone cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the sliced onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- In a bowl, whisk together the condensed soup, milk, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Pour the soup mixture over the meat and vegetables in the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Fold in half of the shredded provolone cheese.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and bread crumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Top with the remaining provolone cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute Gruyere cheese for provolone for a different flavor.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Philly Cheesesteak Casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole