These Philly cheesesteak quesadillas take all the best parts of the classic sandwich—thin-sliced beef, sautéed onions and peppers, and melty cheese—and wrap them in a crispy, golden tortilla. I love how they come together fast, hit all the right comfort food notes, and work just as well for dinner as they do for game-day snacks or casual get-togethers.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it combines two of my favorite things: the savory flavor of a Philly cheesesteak and the crispy, melty magic of a quesadilla. It’s fast, filling, and flexible. I can switch up the ingredients based on what I have, and the handheld format makes it super easy to serve to a crowd or just enjoy on a weeknight with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Thinly sliced steak (like ribeye, sirloin, or shaved beef)
- Olive oil or butter
- Bell peppers (any color), thinly sliced
- Yellow onion, thinly sliced
- Garlic, minced (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- Worcestershire sauce (optional, for extra flavor)
- Shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
- Large flour tortillas
- Cooking spray or extra butter for the pan
Directions
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I heat a little oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the onions and peppers until soft and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. I add garlic near the end if I’m using it.
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I push the veggies to one side of the pan and add the sliced steak to the other side, seasoning with salt, pepper, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. I cook it just until browned and tender.
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I mix the steak and veggies together, then remove the mixture from the pan.
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I wipe out the skillet or use a clean one, then lay down a tortilla over medium heat. I sprinkle cheese on one half, add a layer of the steak and pepper mix, then top with more cheese and fold it over.
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I cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, then slice and serve hot.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 quesadillas, depending on how full I stuff them. It takes around 10 minutes to prep and another 15 to cook, so I can have everything ready in about 25 minutes.
Variations
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I sometimes swap provolone for American, cheddar, or pepper jack for a twist on the flavor.
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To make it spicy, I add jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce.
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If I want to keep it lighter, I use lean ground beef or even shredded chicken instead of steak.
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I’ve made it with mushrooms for a vegetarian version that’s still super satisfying.
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For extra indulgence, I butter the outside of the tortillas before toasting them for an even crispier crust.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftover quesadillas in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm them in a skillet over low heat until the cheese melts again and the tortilla gets crisp. The microwave works too, but I lose a bit of that crunch. If I want to freeze them, I wrap them in foil and freeze after cooking—then I reheat straight from frozen in the oven or air fryer.
FAQs
What’s the best cut of beef for these quesadillas?
I like using thin-sliced ribeye or sirloin because they stay tender and flavorful, but shaved steak from the butcher works great too.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, I cook the filling in advance and store it in the fridge. When I’m ready to eat, I just assemble and toast the quesadillas fresh.
Do I need a quesadilla maker?
Nope. A nonstick skillet or griddle works perfectly. I just press it down gently with a spatula to get that crispy finish.
Can I add cheese inside and outside the quesadilla?
Definitely. A little cheese on the outside crisps up beautifully when it hits the pan, giving me a cheesy crust.
What dipping sauce goes well with this?
I love serving them with a side of sour cream, chipotle mayo, or even a creamy horseradish sauce for a punch of flavor.
Conclusion
Philly cheesesteak quesadillas are one of those recipes I turn to when I want something bold, cheesy, and satisfying without a lot of work. With just a few simple ingredients, I get big flavor and melty goodness in every bite. It’s a mashup I always crave—and one I know I’ll keep making again and again.
Print
Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas are a bold, cheesy twist on the classic sandwich—loaded with thin-sliced steak, sautéed onions and peppers, and gooey melted cheese inside crispy, golden tortillas. Perfect for quick dinners, game-day snacks, or easy entertaining, these quesadillas bring all the comforting flavors of a Philly cheesesteak in a fun, handheld format.
Ingredients
- 1 lb thinly sliced steak (ribeye, sirloin, or shaved beef)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1–2 bell peppers (any color), thinly sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1½ cups shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
- 4 large flour tortillas
- Cooking spray or extra butter, for toasting
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat oil or butter over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and bell peppers for 5–7 minutes until soft and caramelized. Add garlic near the end if using.
- Push veggies to one side and add steak to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes until just browned.
- Combine steak and vegetables, then transfer to a plate. Wipe out the skillet or use a clean one.
- Place a tortilla in the skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle cheese on one half, layer with steak-veggie mix, top with more cheese, and fold tortilla over.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Slice into wedges and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Use any melty cheese like provolone, mozzarella, American, cheddar, or pepper jack.
- Add jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Great with ground beef, chicken, or mushrooms for variations.
- Butter the outside of tortillas before toasting for an extra crispy crust.
- Filling can be made ahead and refrigerated for quick assembly.
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