Cook the Vegetables:
· Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
· In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms (if using). Sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
· Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a bowl.
Cook the Steak:
· In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced steak. Cook over high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s just browned (about 3-4 minutes). It will cook more in the oven, so don’t overcruit it.
· Drain any excess liquid from the skillet. Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the steak. Add the Worcestershire sauce, stir everything to combine, and then pour the entire mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
Make the Cheese Sauce:
· In a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
· Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer.
· Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and shredded provolone, a handful at a time, whisking until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the garlic powder and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
· Pour the creamy cheese sauce evenly over the steak and vegetable mixture in the baking dish.
Add the Topping and Bake:
· In a small bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese.
· Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
· Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
· Let it rest for 5 minutes after pulling it out of the oven. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
· The Classic Way: Serve it in a bowl as-is! It’s a complete meal.
· The “Almost Sandwich”: Spoon the bake into hoagie rolls for the ultimate messy, delicious sandwich experience.
· Over Mashed Potatoes or Rice: It makes an incredible topping for a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or steamed rice.
· Cheese Variations: Use Cheez Whiz for ultimate authenticity, or a mix of provolone and mozzarella for maximum stretch.
· Add Heat: Include a sliced jalapeño with the peppers or add a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
This bake is the ultimate comfort food that delivers all the iconic Philly Cheesesteak flavor in every single spoonful. Enjoy
