Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese

Origin of the Philly Cheesesteak

The name alone tells you that this classic sandwich was invented in Philadelphia, but there’s more to it than that. This beloved sandwich that has become so popular across both the United States and Canada – and even abroad – is a relatively new creation as far as food goes. It was invented in the 1930s.

Pat and Harry Olivieri are often credited with inventing the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich in the early 1930s. Although the exact story of the sandwich’s creation is still debated, the most accepted account is that Pat and Harry owned a hot dog stand, and that’s where it all began.

The two decided to make a new sandwich using chopped beef and grilled onions. While Pat was eating one of the sandwiches, a cab driver stopped and asked for one as well. The story goes that the cabbie liked it so much, he suggested that the two stop making hot dogs and focus on their new creation. The two began selling their new steak sandwiches at their hot dog stand, and it became so popular that Pat opened up his own restaurant, Pat’s King of Steaks, which is still in operation today.

One interesting thing is that the original sandwich wasn’t served with cheese. Provolone was first added by the manager of the Ridge Avenue restaurant location, Joe “Cocky Joe” Lorenza. That first slice of provolone gave us what we now know and love as the Philly Cheesesteak.

Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

My grilled cheese variation on the classic Philly cheesesteak has all the delicious flavors of the time-honored classic with one twist. It’s served on grilled bread instead of a role. That’s really the only difference, but what a difference it is. Philly cheesesteak grilled cheese sandwiches have that great classic flavor, but the toasted bread adds a different bite to the sandwich, giving it a sort of old-school afternoon snack vibe.

However you describe this sandwich, it’s completely delicious and really stays true to the sensibilities of the original, which is so important with a recipe as classic as the cheesesteak.

Just like the original, this grilled cheese variation is simple to make, requiring only a few minutes of slicing the beef and veggies and a few more minutes of cooking it all. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time, and everyone will be clamoring to get their hands on more of these delicious sandwiches. It’s the perfect combination for any recipe.

Variations

I’m a big fan of Philly cheesesteak, so I tend to make it the old school way, but the recipe itself is actually very open to interpretation. When you get down to it, this sandwich is simply sautéed meat and veggies mixed with cheese and served on bread. There’s a lot you can do with that scenario. Although changing the recipe will result in a sandwich that isn’t a true Philly cheesesteak, it will also result in something delicious, so if you’re feeling creative, you should definitely explore.

Change the Meat

This Philly cheesesteak grilled cheese sandwich recipe uses thinly-sliced sirloin beef just like the original, but you can substitute that with chicken, ground beef, or turkey.

Change the Cheese

Although traditional Philly cheesesteak uses provolone, you can use any kind of cheese you like. Cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and Colby jack all work very well. Some people even put Cheese Whiz on their Philly cheesesteak. Please, please do not do this.

Change the Bread

My recipe uses asiago bread slices, but you can use any kind of sliced bread for these Philly cheesesteak grilled cheese sandwiches. Sliced artisan breads are great, but so is your standard run-of-the-mill white bread. Feel free to get creative.

Tips

There aren’t many tips for making these grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s such a straightforward recipe, you almost can’t ruin it. However, there are a couple of things to remember.

Slice the Beef Thin

Philly cheesesteak in any form is known for its tender, thinly sliced beef. One leads to the other when it comes to cooking the meat. Slice your beef as thinly as possible so that the meat cooks up fast and is extra tender.

Don’t Overcook It

Don’t overcook your beef, pepper, and onions. In this recipe, you’re not trying to caramelize the onions. You’re simply getting them and the bell peppers tender while the thinly sliced beef cooks. Overcooking the mixture will lead to a mushy feel.

Serving Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Unlike other grilled cheese sandwiches which are often served with tomato soup or even dipped in a condiment like ranch or ketchup, these grilled cheese sandwiches are best served all on their own. They have such an amazing cheesesteak flavor and golden, crunchy bread exterior that there’s no need to pair them with anything. In fact, I find that it actually takes away from the experience to serve them alongside anything else.

And of course, when you eat them by themselves, you have more room for more sandwiches!

Storing the Sandwiches

These Philly cheesesteak grilled cheese sandwiches will keep in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 3 to 4 days, although I highly suggest eating them fresh and only making as many as you need. You can reheat these sandwiches but they’re never as good the second time around.

To reheat the sandwiches, wrap them in foil and heat them up in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes. Again, I recommend enjoying them fresh and only making what you need to get the full, deliciously flavorful experience.

Ingredients Needed to Make Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese

• Sirloin beef
• Onion
• Green bell pepper
• Olive oil
• Garlic salt
• Pepper
• Provolone cheese
• Asiago bread
• Butter

How to Make Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese

• In a medium size pan, heat oil over medium heat.
• Add thinly sliced steak, onions, and green pepper.
• Cook & sauté until meat is no longer pink and onions and bell pepper are tender.
• Sprinkle garlic salt and pepper over meat. Stir.
• Butter one side of each piece of bread. Add a slice of cheese, the meat mixture, and another slice of cheese, followed by another piece of bread.
• Fry bread buttered side down until golden brown on both sides and cheese has melted.
• Cut in half and enjoy.

Try These Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Today

These Philly cheesesteak grilled cheese sandwiches are so delicious and so much fun to serve. They have all the flavor of a classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich with the twist of a grilled bread instead of a roll. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference. Once you try them, I’m sure you’ll agree that these sandwiches are some of the best you’ve ever eaten.

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