Craving the savory, cheesy goodness of a classic Philly cheesesteam but sticking to a low-carb lifestyle? You’ve come to the right place. This Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole packs all the iconic flavor of the beloved sandwich into a hearty, easy-to-make dish. It’s the perfect solution for a satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will love, without any of the carb-heavy bread.
This recipe transforms thinly sliced steak, caramelized onions, and tender bell peppers, all baked in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, into your new favorite comfort food. It’s a one-pan wonder that delivers on flavor and is incredibly simple to prepare. Get ready to enjoy a delicious, keto-friendly meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why This is the Best Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe
We’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to perfection. What makes it stand out? It’s all about the depth of flavor and the perfect texture. We don’t just throw ingredients in a dish; we build layers of savory goodness that truly mimic the authentic Philly cheesesteak experience.
- Incredibly Flavorful: We use a secret combination of seasonings and a touch of Worcestershire sauce to create a rich, beefy flavor that other recipes miss.
- Perfectly Cheesy: A blend of provolone and mozzarella ensures the ultimate cheese pull, creating a deliciously gooey topping that browns beautifully in the oven.
- Quick and Easy: This entire meal comes together in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. It’s a simple recipe with a seriously impressive payoff.
- Keto and Low-Carb Friendly: With just a few net carbs per serving, it fits seamlessly into a ketogenic or low-carb diet without sacrificing taste.
Key Ingredients for a Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
The magic of this casserole lies in using simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece.
For the Casserole Base:
- Ribeye or Sirloin Steak: Thinly sliced steak is essential for that authentic texture. Pro-tip: Freeze the steak for 30 minutes before slicing to make it much easier to get super thin cuts.
- Bell Peppers: A combination of green and red bell peppers adds classic flavor and a pop of color.
- Onion: A sweet or yellow onion, thinly sliced and caramelized, provides a foundational layer of sweetness.
- Mushrooms: Sliced baby bella mushrooms add an extra layer of earthy, umami flavor.
For the Creamy Cheese Sauce:
- Cream Cheese: This is the base of our rich and tangy sauce, making everything incredibly creamy.
- Heavy Cream: Adds to the luxurious texture of the sauce.
- Beef Broth: Infuses the sauce with a deep, savory beef flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best aroma and taste.
- Provolone Cheese: The star of any Philly cheesesteak! We use it both in the sauce and on top for that signature flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to see how easy it is to make this Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole? Follow these simple steps for a flawless result.
- Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Thinly slice your steak, bell peppers, and onion. This is the most time-consuming part, but it’s worth it!
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and bell peppers, cooking until they begin to soften and caramelize, about 8-10 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
- Sear the Steak: In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced steak. Season generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook just until browned—don’t overcook it, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain any excess grease.
- Create the Sauce: Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the steak. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Mix in half of the provolone cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Top the casserole evenly with the remaining provolone cheese. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
Tips for Success and Variations
Want to take your casserole to the next level? Here are a few expert tips and fun variations to try.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: When searing the steak, cook it in batches if necessary. This ensures the meat gets a nice brown crust instead of steaming.
- Cheese Choices: While provolone is classic, feel free to experiment! A mix of cheddar or a sprinkle of Parmesan on top can add a new dimension of flavor.
- Make it Spicy: Add some sliced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes with the vegetables for a spicy kick.
Recipe Variations
- Ground Beef Version: For a budget-friendly option, you can substitute the sliced steak with one pound of ground beef. Just brown the beef and drain the grease before proceeding with the recipe.
- Add Different Veggies: Feel free to add other low-carb vegetables like zucchini or broccoli to bulk up the casserole. For another great veggie-packed dish, check out this Cheesy Zucchini Tomato Bites recipe.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is a fantastic standalone meal, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few low-carb sides. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a perfect fresh contrast. For something more substantial, serve it alongside some Keto Garlic Flatbread to scoop up every last bit of that delicious cheesy sauce. A side of steamed green beans or roasted asparagus also works beautifully.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This casserole is great for meal prep! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you can microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes until heated through. For the best results, reheat the casserole in an oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until bubbly. This helps to bring back that freshly-baked texture.
Yes, you can freeze this casserole. For best results, assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed. Note that the texture of the cheese sauce may change slightly upon reheating.
Absolutely! To use ground beef, brown 1.5 lbs in the skillet, drain the excess grease, and then continue with the recipe as written. It’s a great way to make the dish more budget-friendly.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions.
Yes, it is! This recipe is specifically designed to be low in carbohydrates and high in flavor, making it perfectly suitable for a ketogenic diet.
Ribeye is the traditional choice due to its high fat content and tenderness, which keeps it from drying out. Sirloin is a great, leaner alternative that is also very flavorful and works well in this casserole.
This casserole is a great all-in-one meal, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad, steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or keto-friendly bread like our Keto Garlic Flatbread for dipping.
Yes, you can freeze this casserole. For best results, assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed. Note that the texture of the cheese sauce may change slightly upon reheating.
Absolutely! To use ground beef, brown 1.5 lbs in the skillet, drain the excess grease, and then continue with the recipe as written. It’s a great way to make the dish more budget-friendly.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions.
Yes, it is! This recipe is specifically designed to be low in carbohydrates and high in flavor, making it perfectly suitable for a ketogenic diet.
Ribeye is the traditional choice due to its high fat content and tenderness, which keeps it from drying out. Sirloin is a great, leaner alternative that is also very flavorful and works well in this casserole.
This casserole is a great all-in-one meal, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad, steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or keto-friendly bread like our Keto Garlic Flatbread for dipping.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole! It’s a recipe we’re truly proud of and we know it will become a staple in your dinner rotation. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest!
Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole: The Ultimate Keto Comfort Food
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Sauté the sliced onions and bell peppers until they are soft and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes until tender. Remove vegetables from the skillet and set them aside.
- Add the thinly sliced steak to the same skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until just browned, working in batches if necessary to ensure a good sear. Drain off any excess liquid.
- Return the vegetables to the skillet with the steak. Reduce heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Stir in 4 slices of provolone cheese until melted into the sauce.
- Top the mixture with the remaining 4 slices of provolone cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
