Homemade Philly Cheesesteaks with Provolone Sauce

Homemade Philly cheesesteaks are easy, delicious, and versatile. You can cook them up for an after-school snack, for a game day party, or for a quick weeknight meal. There are many different ways to make a cheese steak, but I happen to think this recipe – with sweet peppers and homemade provolone sauce – is the best!

Did the Fresh Prince Ever Eat a Philly Cheesesteak?

When I was a kid, I would come home after a day at school, pull off my heavy backpack, head straight to the kitchen for a snack, and nestle in front of the TV, waiting to be mesmerized by tales of teen awkwardness.

One of my favorite shows was the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, in which a very young Will Smith was transplanted from the streets of Philly to his Auntie & Uncle’s in Bel Air. As I was reminiscing about my after-school TV watching days, I got to thinking about Philly cheesesteaks. 

Yeah, my mind works in weird ways.

I don’t ever remember Geoffrey fixing Will a Philly cheesesteak sandwich on the show. You would think a nice butler would make a kid living far away from home a traditional sandwich from his hometown. It just makes sense. 

Well, in honor of the Fresh Prince and after-school snacks, I thought making homemade Philly cheesesteaks seemed fitting.

Ingredients for this Easy Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

For the Philly cheesesteaks:

• 1 pound beef ribeye
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced
• 1 small green pepper, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup small mini peppers, sliced into rounds
• 2 pretzel rolls
• salt and pepper to taste

For the provolone sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup provolone cheese, shredded
• salt and pepper

How to Make Philly Cheesesteak FAQs

What is the cheese in Philly cheesesteak?

You’ll find that everyone makes a Philly cheese steak sandwich a little bit differently. Some use American cheese, some use Cheez Whiz, some use provolone. I think the best cheese steak sauce is made with provolone.

How do you make Philly cheesesteak sauce? 

To make provolone sauce for cheesesteak sandwiches, preheat a small saucepan to medium heat and melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Then whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour. Keep whisking for a minute until it forms a nice thick roux. 

Gradually add one cup of whole milk, stirring constantly. Simmer and stir for about five minutes until the sauce thickens. Add in 1 cup of shredded provolone cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper, then remove from heat and stir until smooth and creamy.

What is the best bread for Philly cheesesteak?

A nice thick roll is best for homemade Philly cheesesteaks. I love using pretzel rolls, but you can use any good hoagie roll.

What kind of sweet peppers go on a cheesesteak? 

I cook up green bell peppers and onion to mix in with the steak and cheese. Then I love using sweet peppers for Philly cheesesteak – the red, orange, and yellow peppers on top give the cheesesteak a little neon flare. 

Definitely Fresh Prince of Bel Air-approved.

Homemade Philly Cheesesteaks with Provolone Sauce

Yield: 2 people

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

There are many different ways to make a cheesesteak, but I happen to think this recipe – with sweet peppers and homemade provolone sauce – is the best!

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Ingredients

For the Philly cheesesteaks:

• 1 pound beef ribeye
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced
• 1 small green pepper, sliced
• 1 cup small mini peppers, sliced into rounds
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 pretzel rolls

For the provolone sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup provolone cheese, shredded
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

For the provolone sauce:

• In a small saucepan preheated to medium heat, add the butter. Let it melt and then whisk in flour. Keep whisking for a minute until you cook out all of that raw flour taste.
• Gradually add the milk. Stir often so the milk doesn't clump. After about five minutes the sauce should thicken. Then add the provolone and stir to melt. Add pinch of salt and pepper.

For the Philly cheesesteaks:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Salt and pepper both sides of the steak. Place steak on grill and cook the first side about 5 to 7 minutes. Flip, and continue cooking for another 4 minutes or until cooked to desired temperature. Let the steak rest before slicing thinly.
• In medium skillet preheated to medium-high heat, add olive oil, green pepper, onions, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for about 7 to 8 minutes or until the veggies have softened. Set aside.
• To serve: take a pretzel bun and place half of the steak slices into the bun. top with green/onion mixture and provolone sauce. Garnish with sweet pepper rounds.

Author: Lauren Grier

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

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