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Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla

Upgrade your weeknight dinner with these mouthwatering Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas! Thinly sliced steak, sautéed peppers and onions, and melty homemade Cheez Wiz sauce come together in a crispy tortilla shell for a flavor-packed meal that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. This is easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners or lunches.

Philly cheesesteak quesadillas on a plate with chips
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Key Ingredients

  • Tortillas
  • Butter
  • Steak
  • Bell Peppers
  • Onions
  • Cheese
  • Steak Seasoning
green and red bell peppers and red onions in separate glass bowls

What Type of Steak to Use

  • Ribeye is prized for its flavor and tenderness, and when thinly sliced, it works perfectly for this sandwich.
  • Top round is a leaner cut compared to ribeye but still flavorful. It’s often used as a more affordable alternative to ribeye.
  • Sirloin is another option that’s flavorful and tender when thinly sliced. It’s a bit leaner than ribeye but still works well for cheesesteaks.
  • Skirt steak has a robust flavor and benefits from marinating to enhance tenderness.
  • Flank steak can be flavorful but it’s tougher in texture.
raw steak sliced into strips in a glass bowl

What Type of Cheese to Use

If you want a classic Philly, use Cheez Whiz. This processed cheese sauce is the traditional choice for Philly cheesesteaks. It adds a creamy, tangy flavor. I like to make my own Cheez Whiz using a few simple ingredients. You can also skip this step and use sliced cheese. Here are some suggestions:

  • Provolone Cheese
  • American Cheese
  • Mozzarella

Ultimately, you can use whatever type of cheese you like!

grated provolone and mozzarella cheese in separate glass bowls

What Type of Tortillas to Use and Size

You can use whatever style and type you like and prefer. 8 inch is standard size.

  • Flour Tortillas are soft and flexible with mild flavor.
  • Corn tortillas are typically smaller and thicker than flour tortillas with an earthy corn flavor.
  • Whole wheat tortillas are denser than white flour tortillas. They are a healthier option with added fiber and nutrients.
8 flour tortillas on a flat surface

How to Make Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the thinly sliced steak to the skillet. Season with spices.
  2. In the same skillet, add the onions and bell peppers and sauté until they are soft and caramelized, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Divide the Cheez Whiz, cooked steak, sautéed onions, and bell peppers evenly among the tortillas.
  4. Top each with another tortilla to form a sandwich.
  5. Add a tortilla to the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
collage of 4 photos with cooked steak, bell peppers, and onions in a cast iron skillet
collage of 4 photos with a Philly cheesesteak quesadilla cooked in a cast iron skillet

Soggy Quesadillas

Be sure to drain the juices from the meat and veggies and pat them dry before adding them to the tortilla. If you don’t, the juices will penetrate the tortilla and cause it to be soggy.

Substitutions and Add-Ins

  • Chicken
  • Shrimp
  • Mushrooms
  • Jalapenos
  • Salsa
  • Avocado
  • Tomatoes
  • Spinach
  • Black Beans
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Green Onions
Philadelphia cheesesteak on a flat surface with chips

Dipping Sauces

Burger Sauce Recipe
Queso Cheese Dip
Ranch Dressing
Honey Mustard
Buffalo Sauce

Philadelphia cheesesteak on a flat surface with chips

How to Store Leftovers

Wrap each quesadilla individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Properly stored, they can last for up to 3-4 days.

a spoonful of homemade Cheez Whiz in a white bowl

Reheating

  • Oven or Air Fryer: Heat at 350 degrees until heated through.
  • Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add oil if not using a non-stick pan. Place the quesadillas in the skillet and cook for a few minutes on each side until they’re crispy and heated through.
  • Microwave: For a quick option, you can microwave the unwrapped quesadillas on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes, or until hot. This will soften them and the quesadilla will not be crisp.

Air Frying

I am super particular about my steak. I don’t like it dry so I wouldn’t recommend air frying cooked steak along with the peppers, cheese, and tortillas. You will risk drying out the meat.

If you want to air fry the steak (it’s one of my favorite ways to cook it!) Air fry the steak at 370 degrees for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, open the air fryer and examine your steak. Cook time will vary depending on your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer and cook to 125° F for rare, 135° F for medium-rare, 145° F for medium, 155° F for medium-well, and 160° F for well done.

From here you can sear the steak in a pan with the remaining ingredients. If you want to air fry the tortilla along with the cooked steak and other ingredients you can do so at 350 degrees until the quesadilla is crisp. Again, this isn’t my preferred method because the steak wasn’t as juicy.

person holding Philly cheesesteak quesadilla with homemade Cheez Whiz

Freezing

Place the quesadillas in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

Pair With These Recipes

Chipotle Rice Recipe
Slow Cooker Crockpot Mexican Rice
Cajun Fries

Philadelphia cheesesteak on a flat surface with chips
Philly cheesesteak quesadillas on a plate with chips
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas

Upgrade your weeknight dinner with these mouthwatering Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas! Thinly sliced steak, sautéed peppers and onions, and melty homemade Cheez Wiz sauce come together in a crispy tortilla shell for a flavor-packed meal that's sure to satisfy your cravings. This is easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners or lunches.
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword beef quesadilla, Philly cheesesteak quesadilla, steak quesadilla
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 855kcal

Ingredients

  • 12-16 oz steak Thinly sliced into strips.
  • 1/4 cup diced green peppers
  • 1/4 cup diced red peppers
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil or butter You may need oil or butter for each quesadilla you prepare depending on the type of pan you use.
  • 8-inch tortillas

Homemade Cheez Whiz Sauce (Optional, Use Store Bought if you wish)

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup milk I used 2%. See notes.
  • 2 cups grated cheese I used provolone.
  • 1/2 teapoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Homemade Cheez Whiz Sauce:

  • In a small saucepan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until fully incorporated. This will create a roux that will thicken the sauce.
  • Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
  • Stir in the grated cheese until melted and smooth.
  • Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.

Prepare the Steak Filling

  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the thinly sliced steak to the skillet. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.
  • In the same skillet, add the onions and bell peppers and sauté until they are soft and caramelized and the steak is cooked, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat (I use a slotted spoon to drain the juices) and set aside. Pat the meat and veggies dry with a paper towel. This will prevent the quesadilla from becoming soggy.

Assemble the Quesadillas

  • Spread a generous amount of Cheez Whiz sauce over each tortilla.
  • Divide the cooked steak, sautéed onions, and bell peppers evenly among the tortillas.
  • Top each with another tortilla to form a sandwich.

Cook the quesadillas:

  • I use the same pan and pat it dry to remove the moisture from the meat and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil or butter to the skillet at medium-high heat. Add a quesadilla to the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
  • Repeat with the remaining quesadillas.

Notes

You can use whatever type/color of bell peppers you like.
You can use whatever type of cheese you like. Slices of provolone, cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, pepperjack, etc. will all work well in place of Cheez Whiz.
Plant based milks will work for the cheese sauce, but they are thinner. The texture will be different. Whole milk, 1%, and 2% will work.
The Cheez Whiz will thicken as it stands. It’s best to serve it immediately. Cheese contains moisture, and prolonged exposure to air will cause moisture loss. This can result in a dip that becomes thicker and less creamy, as the cheese dries out. Add in a little more milk and stir if this happens.
Store-bought Cheez Whiz often contains emulsifiers and stabilizers, such as sodium citrate or sodium alginate, which help maintain its creamy texture and prevent separation. These additives also help retain moisture in the cheese sauce over time. Since we are making our own without the preservatives, be mindful of the tips.
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1quesadilla | Calories: 855kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 52g
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
5 from 1 vote
Recipe Rating




Joanna

Saturday 4th of May 2024

So delicious! My husband loves a good Philly cheesesteak and I have not been able to successfully make one at home. The beef and cheese sauce are amazing! I'll admit, we just put the steak and cheese in hoagie rolls, but we will be making this again - as quesadillas or just as sandwiches.

staysnatched

Tuesday 7th of May 2024

So glad to hear it!