Easy Philly Cheesesteak Casserole: A Quick & Delicious Family Dinner
Craving the iconic flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich but looking for a more convenient way to enjoy them at home? Look no further than this incredibly satisfying and easy-to-make Philly cheesesteak casserole recipe. It transforms all the beloved elements of the traditional sandwich – savory ground beef, tender sweet onions, crisp green bell peppers, and plenty of gooey, melted cheese – into a comforting casserole that’s perfect for any weeknight meal.
This simple yet hearty dish is designed for busy home cooks who don’t want to compromise on flavor. By using readily available ingredients like ground beef and Bisquick, we create a delicious and complete meal with minimal fuss. Imagine a golden, fluffy biscuit crust embracing a rich, flavorful filling, all topped with a generous layer of bubbly, melted provolone cheese. It’s a complete dinner that promises to become a regular in your family’s meal rotation.
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or simply need a comforting dinner after a long day, this Philly cheesesteak casserole delivers. It’s a fantastic alternative to the original sandwich, offering all the satisfying tastes in a convenient, fork-friendly format. Get ready to experience a new twist on an American classic that’s guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters.
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Why You’ll Love This Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
This ground beef Philly cheesesteak casserole isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed for maximum enjoyment and minimal effort. Here’s why it’s bound to become a new favorite in your kitchen:
- Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty casserole to bring the family together. This dish delivers on all fronts, with its rich, savory meat filling and a soft, cheesy topping that makes every bite feel like a hug. It’s perfect for chilly evenings or when you simply need a satisfying meal.
- Made with Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt down exotic components for this recipe. All the ingredients, from the lean ground beef to the versatile Bisquick mix and classic provolone cheese, are easily found at your local grocery store. This means less stress during meal planning and more time enjoying your dinner.
- Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner: With straightforward steps and a relatively short cook time, this cheesesteak casserole is ideal for busy weeknights. Prep is a breeze, and it comes together in under an hour, making it a convenient option when you need a delicious meal on the table fast.
- Family-Friendly Flavors: The classic taste of a Philly cheesesteak – savory steak (or in this case, ground beef), sautéed onions, sweet bell peppers, and melty cheese – is a universally loved combination. This casserole format makes it even more appealing for kids and adults alike, ensuring clean plates all around.
- Versatile and Customizable: While the classic combination is fantastic, this recipe is also incredibly flexible. Easily swap out cheeses, add different vegetables, or even experiment with various cuts of meat to tailor it to your family’s preferences or whatever you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Delicious Casserole
Crafting the perfect Philly cheesesteak casserole starts with a selection of fresh, simple ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather, along with some tips for each:
- Bisquick Mix: This fantastic premade baking mix is the secret to our incredibly easy and fluffy biscuit layer. It typically contains flour, baking powder, salt, and other essential ingredients, meaning you don’t have to measure out individual dry components. It provides a wonderful, golden crust to the casserole.
- Milk: Essential for achieving the perfect consistency in your Bisquick biscuit layer. Use whole milk for a richer flavor and texture, but 2% or even skim milk will also work.
- Egg: Acts as a binding agent for the Bisquick layer, helping it hold its shape and contributing to its delightful texture. A large egg is usually sufficient.
- Ground Black Pepper: We’ll divide this for seasoning both the biscuit layer and the savory meat mixture. Freshly ground black pepper always provides the best flavor.
- Ground Beef: The star of our filling! While traditional Philly cheesesteaks use thinly sliced ribeye, ground beef makes this casserole incredibly accessible and budget-friendly. Any lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) will work beautifully. If you prefer, you can opt for even leaner options, but remember that a little fat adds to the flavor.
- Sweet Onion: Sautéed sweet onions bring a mild, slightly sweet, and aromatic depth to the beef mixture. They caramelize beautifully, adding a critical layer of flavor that’s quintessential to a cheesesteak.
- Green Bell Peppers: These mild peppers add a fresh, slightly bitter counterpoint to the richness of the meat and cheese, as well as a vibrant color. They are a classic inclusion in many Philly cheesesteak and steak sandwich recipes.
- Brown Gravy Mix: A simple dry mix that, when combined with water, creates a rich, savory sauce that coats the ground beef and vegetables. This mix ensures your filling is incredibly flavorful and moist, much like the juicy steak in a traditional sandwich.
- Water: Used to reconstitute the brown gravy mix and create the delicious sauce for the meat filling.
- Slices of Provolone Cheese: For that ultimate melty, cheesy topping! Provolone is a popular choice for Philly cheesesteaks, known for its mild, slightly tangy flavor and excellent melting properties. Other traditional options include American cheese or even Cheez Whiz, but provolone offers a classic and satisfying experience.
For precise quantities and measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Perfect Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Follow these easy steps to create a show-stopping Philly cheesesteak casserole that everyone will adore. Remember to read through all instructions before you begin!
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking. This is a crucial first step for even cooking.
1. Prepare your baking dish: Lightly grease a standard 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. This prevents sticking and ensures your casserole lifts out easily. Set this prepared dish aside for later use.
2. Whisk the Bisquick batter: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the Bisquick baking mix, milk, one large egg, and half of the ground black pepper. Use a whisk or fork to mix these ingredients together.
3. Ensure a smooth batter: Continue combining the Bisquick mixture until the batter is completely smooth and free of any lumps. This will create a consistent and delicious biscuit layer for your casserole.
4. Form the biscuit base: Carefully pour the smooth Bisquick mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly to create a uniform base for your casserole. This will bake into a tender, savory crust.
5. Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add your ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook for approximately 5-7 minutes, until it’s completely browned. Ensure no pink remains for food safety.
6. Sauté vegetables: Once the beef is browned, add the sliced sweet onion and green bell pepper to the same skillet. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened and become slightly translucent. Important: Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet before proceeding to the next step. This prevents a greasy casserole.
7. Add the gravy and simmer: Stir the brown gravy mix, water, and the remaining black pepper into the ground beef and vegetable mixture. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and the sauce has thickened slightly. This creates a rich, savory gravy for your filling.
8. Layer the filling: Once the gravy has thickened, carefully spread the entire ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the Bisquick layer in your prepared baking dish. Distribute it to cover the entire surface.
9. Add the cheese layer: Generously top the beef mixture with the slices of provolone cheese. Arrange them evenly across the entire surface, tearing slices as needed to ensure full coverage. This creates the signature melty cheese topping.
10. Bake until golden: Place the casserole in your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The casserole is ready when the provolone cheese topping is beautifully golden brown and bubbly, and a toothpick inserted into the biscuit layer comes out clean. This indicates the biscuit base is fully cooked and fluffy.
Pro Tip: If you notice the cheese browning too quickly before the biscuit layer is fully cooked, loosely cover the top of the casserole with aluminum foil. This will prevent the cheese from burning while allowing the biscuit to finish baking through.
11. Rest and serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. This resting period helps the layers set, making it easier to slice and serve cleanly. Then, cut into generous portions and enjoy your homemade Philly cheesesteak casserole!
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
This hearty Philly cheesesteak casserole is a meal in itself, but a well-chosen side dish can elevate the experience even further. Since the casserole is rich and savory, lighter vegetable sides are an excellent complement. Here are some fantastic pairings:
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic: The slight bitterness and earthy flavor of roasted Brussels sprouts, especially when enhanced with garlic, provide a perfect balance to the rich casserole. Their crispy texture also offers a delightful contrast. You can find a great recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts here.
- Sautéed Garlic Green Beans: Quick to prepare and vibrantly flavored, garlic green beans add a fresh, crisp element. Their simple preparation ensures they don’t overpower the main dish. Try this recipe for sautéed garlic green beans.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is always a refreshing choice. It cuts through the richness of the cheese and beef, making for a balanced meal.
- Coleslaw: A creamy or vinegar-based coleslaw can add a cool, crunchy texture and a bit of tang that complements the savory flavors beautifully.
Easy Substitutions for Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
This recipe is quite forgiving, allowing for several easy substitutions based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences. Feel free to get creative with these ideas:
- For Ground Beef: If you want to get closer to the traditional cheesesteak experience, you can absolutely substitute the ground beef with thinly-sliced chopped ribeye steak or even pre-shaved steak like Steak-umm. Just be sure to cook it quickly over high heat to achieve that classic tender texture.
- For Green Bell Peppers: While green bell peppers are traditional, you can easily swap them for other colors. Red, yellow, or orange peppers will add a sweeter flavor and a vibrant pop of color to your casserole without changing the overall preparation much.
- For Provolone Cheese: Provolone is a fantastic choice, but many other cheeses work wonderfully. Consider cheddar cheese for a sharper flavor, classic American cheese for ultimate meltiness, or even Cheez Whiz for an authentic, gooey “Philly” touch. Mozzarella also works well for a milder, stretchy melt.
- For Bisquick Mix: If you don’t have Bisquick, you can make your own biscuit dough from scratch or even use canned biscuit dough for an even quicker preparation. Adjust baking times as necessary.
- For Sweet Onion: Yellow or white onions can be used if you don’t have sweet onions. They will offer a slightly more pungent flavor, but still delicious when sautéed until tender.
Creative Variations for Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
While the base recipe is absolutely delicious, don’t hesitate to experiment with these variations to customize your Philly cheesesteak casserole even further:
- Mushroom Lover’s Delight: For those who appreciate an earthy depth, add 1 cup of sliced fresh mushrooms to the meat mixture along with the onions and bell peppers. Sauté them until tender and slightly browned for an extra layer of umami flavor and texture.
- Extra Creamy Casserole: To make this dish exceptionally rich and creamy, stir in 4 ounces of softened cream cheese to the meat mixture after the gravy has thickened. The cream cheese will melt into the sauce, creating a luxurious and velvety texture that takes the comfort level up a notch.
- Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture while it’s cooking, or a dash of hot sauce before serving. You could also mix in some diced jalapeños with your bell peppers.
- Garlic Infusion: Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet when you’re sautéing the onions and peppers. This will infuse the entire meat mixture with a wonderful aromatic garlic flavor.
- Low Carb Alternative: For those following a low-carbohydrate diet, you can easily adapt this casserole. Instead of the Bisquick base, consider using a cauliflower rice crust or simply omit the biscuit layer and enjoy the cheesy beef and veggie filling on its own. For a dedicated low-carb version, check out this excellent Keto Philly Cheese Steak Casserole from Stay Snatched.
Essential Equipment for Making This Casserole
You won’t need any specialized kitchen gadgets to make this Philly cheesesteak casserole. Here’s a list of the basic equipment that will make your cooking process smooth and efficient:
- Chef’s knife: A sharp knife is essential for safely and efficiently slicing your onion and bell pepper.
- Cutting board: For a stable and safe surface while chopping your vegetables.
- Large skillet: Crucial for browning the ground beef and sautéing the vegetables efficiently. A cast-iron skillet works wonderfully for this.
- Mixing bowls: You’ll need at least one for preparing the Bisquick batter.
- 9×13 baking dish: The perfect size for this casserole, ensuring all layers fit comfortably and bake evenly.
- Whisk or fork: For combining the Bisquick batter ingredients until smooth.
Storing and Reheating Your Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious casserole for days to come. This Philly cheesesteak casserole is excellent for meal prep and leftovers!
Refrigerator Storage:
Once your casserole has finished baking, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This is important to prevent condensation and bacterial growth. After cooling, you have two options:
- In the original dish: If you plan to eat it within a few days, simply cover the entire casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- In an airtight container: For more compact storage, cut the cooled casserole into individual portions and transfer them to an airtight container.
Stored this way, the casserole will remain fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer Storage:
This casserole freezes wonderfully, making it a great option for future meals. Again, ensure the casserole has cooled completely before freezing.
- Whole casserole: If freezing the entire dish, wrap it tightly first in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil.
- Individual portions: For easy grab-and-go meals, freeze individual slices in airtight freezer-safe containers or freezer bags.
The Philly cheesesteak casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
Reheating Instructions:
When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers:
- From the refrigerator: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, until warmed through.
- From the freezer: For best results, thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat as you would from the refrigerator. If reheating from frozen, it will take longer (e.g., 30-45 minutes in the oven). Cover with foil if the cheese starts to brown too much.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Here are some common questions you might have about making and enjoying this delicious Philly cheesesteak casserole:
For an authentic Philly cheesesteak experience, three types of cheese are traditionally used: American cheese for its smooth, melty quality; provolone cheese for a slightly sharper, more traditional taste; or Cheez Whiz for that iconic, gooey finish. For this casserole, provolone slices work beautifully to create a golden, bubbly top, but feel free to use your favorite! Cheddar or mozzarella are also great choices for a different flavor profile.
Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the meat and vegetable filling ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to bake, simply prepare the Bisquick layer, spread the pre-cooked filling over it, top with cheese, and bake as directed. This makes it an excellent option for busy weeknights.
If Bisquick isn’t available, you can easily create a similar biscuit topping from scratch. Combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ cup cold butter (cut into small pieces). Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly, then stir in 1 cup of milk and 1 egg to form a soft dough. Alternatively, you can use canned biscuit dough, arranging the biscuits over the meat mixture before adding cheese.
The base recipe for this Philly cheesesteak casserole is not spicy. It relies on the savory flavors of beef, sweet onions, green bell peppers, and brown gravy. However, you can easily add a spicy kick if desired by incorporating red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce into the meat mixture, or even a few diced jalapeños for those who enjoy heat.
More Delicious Casserole Recipes to Try
Love this easy casserole recipe? Expand your repertoire with these other family-favorite casserole dishes that are just as comforting and simple to make:
- Crockpot Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
- Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Easy Rotel Chicken Spaghetti
- Zucchini Egg Bake
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Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Equipment
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Chef’s knife
-
Cutting board
-
Large skillet
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Mixing bowls
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9×13 baking dish
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Whisk or fork
Ingredients
- 2 cups Bisquick mix
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper divided
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large sweet onion sliced
- 1 large green bell pepper sliced
- 0.87 ounce brown gravy mix
- 1 cup water
- 11 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
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In a mixing bowl, combine the Bisquick, milk, egg, and half of the black pepper until smooth. Pour the Bisquick mixture into the prepared baking dish.
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, about 5-7 minutes.
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Add the onion slices and green bell pepper slices to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
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Stir the brown gravy mix, water, and the remaining black pepper into the ground beef mixture. Simmer for about 3-5 minutes until the liquid is reduced.
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Spread the beef mixture over the Bisquick. Top with the cheese slices, spacing evenly and tearing the slices as needed for full coverage.
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Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the layer of provolone cheese is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the biscuit layer comes out clean. If the cheese becomes too brown before the biscuit layer is done cooking, cover the top of the casserole in aluminum foil.
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Allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Video
Notes
Allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Cover the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this casserole freezes beautifully for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition
Important Food Safety Guidelines
Ensuring food safety is paramount when preparing any meal. Please keep these important guidelines in mind when making your Philly cheesesteak casserole:
- Meat Temperature: Always cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71.1 °C). Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
- Cross-Contamination: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw meat. Also, sanitize any surfaces, cutting boards, and utensils that came into contact with raw meat to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Proper Cooling and Storage: After cooking, allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature within two hours. Promptly transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. This inhibits bacterial growth and keeps your food safe for consumption.
- Raw Eggs: The USDA advises against consuming raw or undercooked eggs due to the potential risk of Salmonella bacteria. Ensure your Bisquick batter is fully cooked.
- Raw Flour: According to the FDA, raw flour should never be consumed or tasted, as it can contain harmful bacteria. Always ensure any flour-based mixtures are thoroughly cooked.
For more comprehensive information and detailed guidelines on safe food handling and preparation, please consult USDA.gov.