Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

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Slow cooker Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are so satisfying, filling, and absolutely delicious. Tender ground beef with onion, green bell pepper, and all the best seasonings cooked all day long and topped with provolone cheese makes for an easy crockpot dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

Does your family enjoy Philly cheesesteaks like mine does? Even the kids love this tasty twist on classic sloppy joes.

They are simple to make and fill you up, just like sloppy joe casserole–another one of our family faves.

Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes on brioche buns with pickles in the background.

I love how easy these cheesy sloppy joes are to make. Just a few minutes of prep then the crockpot does all the work– just like my slow cooker hot honey chicken sandwich recipe. Meanwhile, I can get a few other things done around the house.

Just in time for dinner, the aromatics start to hit and all I can think about is sinking my teeth into one of these incredible sloppy joe cheesesteak sandwiches.

Spoonful of cheesy sloppy joes in slow cooker.

For more belly-warming sandwiches give our hot Italian sliders, cuban sliders and air fryer hamburgers a try.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Ground beef– One pound lean ground beef.
Onion- You only need a small one to dice up.
Green bell pepper– just like classic cheesesteaks, you’ll need bell peppers and green ones are the traditional ones used in this recipe but you can use red, yellow or orange peppers if desired.
Worcestershire sauce– this helps add to that classic sloppy joe flavor.
Salt and pepper– what’s any recipe without a little salt and pepper? Add to taste if you prefer less or more than what our recipe calls for.
Cornstarch- This helps thicken up the sloppy joe sauce.
Beef broth– I use this to give more authentic flavor while making sure there’s enough moisture for cooking. You can swap this out for vegetable broth if needed.
Provolone cheese– This is classic cheese to use on a Philly Cheesesteak, but you can easily swap this out for other cheese choices. Keep reading for my top suggestions below.
Buns– your favorite sandwich buns

Equipment you will need

How to make the best slow cooker Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: To a large skillet, add the ground beef, onions, and green bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, over medium-high heat until meat is browned. Drain off any grease and transfer to your slow cooker.

Large pot with ground beef, diced onions, and diced green peppers.

Step 2: In a small bowl, stir to combine the cornstarch, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Add to the slow cooker and stir to combine.

Ground beef with onions and peppers in slow cooker.

Step 3: Cook on low 4-6 hours.

Step 4: Remove the lid and add the sliced cheese. Recover and allow to cook for just a few minutes until the cheese is melted.

Step 5: Stir in the cheese.

Melted cheese being stirred into sloppy joes in crockpot.

Step 6: Scoop onto buns and enjoy.

Slow cooker sloppy joes served on buns with potato chips and pickle spears.

Storage and Reheating

In the refrigerator: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days

In the freezer: For longer storage place in an airtight container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

To reheat: While you can microwave or heat in the crockpot on low, I prefer to reheat sloppy joe in a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop.

Freezer Meal

Slow cooker recipes like chili and these philly cheesesteak sloppy joes in the crockpot make perfect freezer meals.

Simply brown the ground beef, peppers, and onions, place in a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge then add to the crockpot and cook as per instructions below.

Sloppy joes with cheese, peppers, and onions on soft buns served with pickles and chips.

Expert tips and tricks and variations

To bring even more flavor, you can add mushrooms if you like.
Using frozen peppers and onions are a quick way to make this recipe even faster.
Using a vegetable chopper helps to chop up vegetables without having to pull out the knife and cutting board.
You can slice your peppers lengthwise if you prefer that to diced up ones.
You can also serve this over pasta, like egg noodles or even over white rice.

What to serve with sloppy joes

I like to serve sloppy joes with a pickle spear and one or two sides. Some of my favorite sloppy joe side dishes are baked beans, mac & cheese, fried pickles, cornbread casserole, french fries, or potato chips.

Frequently asked questions

What cheese can I use?

I like using either sliced or shredded provolone but you can use whichever cheese you prefer. Some other options are American, Mozzarella, or even cheez-whiz.

Can I prep the ingredients ahead of time?

Absolutey. To make this easy recipe even simpler, you can brown the meat, onions and peppers beforehand and refrigerate for up to 1 day before throwing it in the slow cooker.

How can I make these sloppy joes healthier?

For a lower-carb version, try using large leaves of romaine lettuce as your “sandwich bun” and enjoying them that way instead. You will still get all the amazing cheesesteak sloppy joe flavors without all the heavy carbs you get from your bread choices.

These tasty crockpot Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes truly are a delicious and easy meal that the whole family will love. Grab the simple pantry staple ingredients and add this to your weekly meal plan.

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