All the flavors you know and love from a classic cheesesteak come together in the form of a grilled cheese! This fun sandwich is my new favorite way to eat a cheesesteak – and it’s gluten-free!
A few weeks ago Kyle requested homemade cheesesteaks for dinner. I never object to cheesesteaks for two reasons – they are delicious and he makes them. Obviously it’s pretty rare for Kyle to cook in this house because I pretty much live in the kitchen. However, he does have a few tasty dishes up his sleeve.
Now, I’m the one that picks up the ingredients needed and I usually do the chopping, but he does the actual cooking part. Since going gluten-free, cheesesteak night for me meant a big salad and the cheesesteak mixture on the side. This worked out for me for a while, but this time in I was really craving the bread. Luckily, I keep a loaf of gluten-free bread in the freezer for times like this.
I decided to make a grilled cheese with the cheesesteak mixture and it turned out SO much better than I ever expected! My biggest complaint with most cheesesteaks, is that there is just too much bread going on. I always hated biting into a big hoagie and only getting a mouthful of bread. This grilled cheese version is the perfect amount of bread, melty cheese, and cheesesteak meat flavored with onions and peppers. Plus you get a nice crunch from the toasted bread!
If you’ve never made your own cheesesteaks, you’re missing out! It’s so easy and you can control exactly what goes in it. We keep things simple and start with caramelizing onions and peppers. Once they are ready, push them off to the side and add in the meat. We use very thinly sliced sirloin or top round from the butcher. However, you can do this yourself at home by partially freezing a cut of meat and then thinly slicing on a meat slicer or with a knife. If you use meat that is too thick, you may end up with tough cheesesteaks – and we don’t want that!
At this point you can add the cheese and let it melt and then add it to your favorite hoagie roll. However, I highly recommend making a grilled cheese sandwich. They are SO GOOD!
Just line up your favorite sandwich bread (I like Udi’s Gluten-Free) top with sliced mozzarella, pile on the cheesesteak mixture, and then top with more cheese and another slice of bread. Melt butter in a skillet and cook it just like you would a grilled cheese. It’s so easy and incredibly tasty. Kyle had his in a hoagie and he was eyeing up my grilled cheese the entire time. He even snuck a bite and ended up loving it!
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 Bell Peppers, thinly sliced (I used 1 red and 1 green)
- 1 Large Onion, thinly sliced
- Kosher Salt, to taste
- 1 Teaspoon Granulated Sugar
- ¾ lb. Thinly Sliced Sirloin Steak*
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
- 8 Slices Gluten-Free Bread, I like Udi’s (if you aren’t gluten-free just use your favorite bread for grilled cheese!)
- 8 Slices Mozzarella Cheese
- Butter
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in the peppers and onions and toss to coat in the oil. Season the mixture generously with salt and sprinkle with the sugar. Turn the heat to medium-low and allow the peppers and onions to cook until lightly caramelized, about 15 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally.
- Once the peppers and onions are ready, move them to one side of the pan and turn the heat back up to high. Add more oil at this point if you need to. Add in the meat and season with the garlic powder, dried oregano, paprika, a little salt, and black pepper.
- Cook the meat until just cooked through – about 2-3 minutes. This part doesn’t take long at all if the meat is very thinly sliced. Mix the meat and peppers together and remove the mixture from the heat.
- On a work surface, line up 4 slices of bread and top each with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Top each evenly with the cheesesteak mixture, another slice of mozzarella and then the other bread slices.
- Melt butter in a large skillet and add the sandwiches. Brown evenly on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.
- *If you can't get really thinly sliced meat, just partially freeze a cut and then thinly slice it on a meat slicer or with a knife.
I loooove when my husband wants to cook dinner. It’s always grilled food, ha! But I’ll take the night off. More time for me to sit on the couch. They just started selling Udi’s bread at my Costco! In the freezer section! This sandwich looks amazing!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely recently posted…Triple Berry Crumble (made with frozen fruit!)
Grilled food is always a man’s specialty! I take whatever I can get – I just love sitting on the couch while dinner is being made! Ohhh I never thought to check the freezer section for Udi’s, my Costco has the regular Udi’s bread in the bakery, but not gluten-free. Totally checking that next time I’m there! Thanks Natalie 🙂
Keri this looks AMAZING! What a totally genius idea! I love cheesesteaks but there aren’t that many places here that can make a good one so it would be much better to try to make it at home. Plus I just can’t get over the fact that everything is a ‘sub’ here and no one calls them hoagies. I miss that!!
Maya @ Treats and Eats recently posted…Fresh Mozzarella with Roasted Tomatoes
Thanks Maya! Cheesesteaks are such a simple thing, but it’s one of those things that seems to be poorly executed a lot! I’ve had a lot of bad cheesesteaks in my day, so I love making my own at home just the way I like! I always forget hoagie is a regional thing – I just can’t imagine saying “sub”!
Oh my! Adorable sandwiches! Keri, these looks stunningly delicious. I wish I could have these for lunch today! 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Garlicky Spinach Mango Tomato Pizza with Hot Pepper Sauce and Flakes
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Oh wow, this looks amazing, Keri! I love how thick this grilled cheese is. My husband is a cheese steak fanatic, so know he would go nuts over these! Can’t wait to try this out!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Corn, Edamame and Chickpea Salad
Thanks Gayle! Kyle is already asking when we are going to have them again! Let me know how you like it if you try it 🙂
Grilled cheese is my all-time favorite! Even though we don’t eat steak, I totally see myself making this sandwich with lamb or chicken sometime soon! Thanks for sharing, Keri! Delicious recipe!
Savita @ ChefDeHome recently posted…By ChefDeHome- Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Potatoes
Ohh this would be delicious with lamb or chicken! Thanks Savita! 🙂
This is making me drool like CRAZY over here! I am totally in love with this idea. Pinned!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries recently posted…Pasta Salad with Creamy Avocado Sauce
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EEEEEE! I love this cheese steak grilled cheese, Keri!! My biggest complaint about cheese steaks is the hoagie bread to the filling proportion too!! Don’t get me wrong, I love carbs, I just love all the yummy fillings more! 🙂 a grilled cheese – cheese steak combo is totally perfect!! SO much cheesy steaky goodness going on here! Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend!
Yep same here Cheyanne! I like the perfect filling-to-bread-ratio for a cheesesteak and this grilled cheese definitely accomplishes that! Thanks girl!
What a treat! Now you are seriously making me crave a cheesesteak!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat recently posted…Perfectly Plum Tart
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Oh my gosh I am dying over these!! the texture and flavor look amazing… yum!
Emily @ Layers of Happiness recently posted…Extra Fluffy Vegan Banana Pecan Waffles
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Wow – these look fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever had a cheesesteak but I feel like I’ve failed myself as a “foodie” for even saying that! Guess I’ll have to try making it at home 🙂
Dani @ Dani California Cooks recently posted…Marinated Chickpea and Kale Salad (vegan + gluten free)
Thanks Dani! And yes, you definitely need to try it! Cheesesteaks are amazing!
Girl, this is one friggin’ genius idea! I agree with you that sometimes cheesesteaks are hard to eat around a big ole hoagie roll. I love a grilled cheese and a cheesesteak! This is like two of my favorite foods got married and had a baby! 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Blueberry Mousse Shooters
Thanks Rachelle! A grilled cheese is one of my favorite foods, so I’m totally in love with a cheesesteak version. I can’t wait to have it again already!
This is such a great idea! My husband is a huge cheesesteak lover and this grilled cheese twist looks incredible!
Thanks Kelly!
Oh my gosh this looks amazing Keri! Two of my favorite comfort foods combined!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy recently posted…Chocolate Frosted Brownies
Thanks Kelly!