Description
Hearty smoked Philly cheesesteak casserole delivers classic sandwich flavors in comforting baked form. Melted cheese, tender beef, and caramelized peppers create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) ribeye or sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 2 bell peppers (green and red), sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for tang)
- ½ cup (30 g) crushed pork rinds or breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the pellet smoker to a consistent 225°F, selecting hickory or oak wood pellets to impart a deep, smoky character to the dish.
- Meat and Vegetable Preparation: Slice beef into thin, uniform strips and dice onions and bell peppers into consistent, bite-sized pieces that will caramelize and enhance the meat’s flavor profile.
- Dish Assembly: Lightly spray a large baking dish with cooking spray, then create a strategic layering process – first the beef as a foundational base, followed by an even distribution of onions and bell peppers.
- Cheese Integration: Generously blanket the meat and vegetable layer with shredded cheese, interspersing dollops of cream cheese to create pockets of rich, tangy complexity.
- Smoking Process: Carefully position the baking dish in the preheated smoker, allowing 60-75 minutes of cooking time until the beef achieves desired tenderness and the cheese transforms into a perfectly melted, bubbly surface.
- Finishing Touch: Remove the casserole from the smoker, let it rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions for added vibrancy and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose Quality Meat: Select well-marbled, thinly sliced beef like ribeye or sirloin to ensure tenderness and maximum flavor absorption during smoking.
- Control Smoke Intensity: Use mild woods like hickory or oak to complement the beef without overpowering the delicate cheese and vegetable flavors.
- Manage Moisture Levels: Cover the casserole with foil if the top begins to brown too quickly, preventing dryness while maintaining a creamy texture.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular cheese with low-fat or dairy-free alternatives, and use lean beef cuts for a lighter version of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 823 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 113 mg