Philly Cheesesteak Pizza Recipe
If you're passionate about pizza and love classic Philly cheesesteaks, you'll want to try this game-changing recipe that transforms two beloved dishes into one mouthwatering creation. Imagine combining tender, thinly sliced roast beef, caramelized onions, and melted provolone cheese atop a crispy pizza crust—a culinary mashup that'll have your taste buds dancing. Curious how to turn this flavor fantasy into dinner reality? Stick around, and I'll walk you through every savory step.
Recipe Highlights
- Use room-temperature pizza dough stretched to 12 inches, creating a thin center with thicker edges for optimal cheesesteak pizza base.
- Sauté thinly sliced onions and green bell peppers in olive oil until golden and soft to capture authentic Philly cheesesteak flavors.
- Layer torn roast beef pieces evenly across the pizza, using 4-5 ounces per 12-inch pizza for balanced meat distribution.
- Top generously with torn provolone cheese slices, aiming for about 1 cup of cheese with small gaps for aesthetic melting.
- Bake in a preheated 450°F oven for 12-15 minutes, rotating halfway through to achieve a golden-brown crust and perfectly melted cheese.
History
The fusion of Philly cheesesteak and pizza tells a delicious story of culinary creativity that emerged in the late 20th century.
You'll find this innovative dish represents a perfect marriage between two iconic American foods: the traditional Philadelphia cheesesteak and classic pizza.
Pioneering chefs in Philadelphia began experimenting with cross-cultural recipe combinations, recognizing that both dishes shared complementary flavor profiles and textures.
These culinary innovators understood that roast beef, melted cheese, and caramelized onions could translate beautifully from sandwich to pizza format.
By the early 2000s, pizzerias across the Northeast started featuring this inventive combination, transforming a regional sandwich into a nationwide pizza sensation.
Your appreciation for this dish connects you to a rich tradition of American food innovation that celebrates bold flavor combinations and regional culinary heritage.
Recipe
Philly Cheesesteak Pizza transforms two classic comfort foods into one incredible dish that captures the essence of a Philadelphia cheesesteak on a crispy pizza crust. This fusion recipe brings together tender roast beef, caramelized onions, and melted provolone cheese, creating a mouthwatering meal that satisfies both pizza and cheesesteak lovers.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and bold flavors. By combining just a few key ingredients, home cooks can easily recreate the iconic taste of a Philly cheesesteak in a fun and shareable pizza format that's perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made pizza dough
- 1/2 pound thinly sliced roast beef
- 2 cups provolone cheese, sliced
- 1 white onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 450°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a light coating of cooking spray. Stretch the pizza dough evenly across the baking sheet, ensuring a consistent thickness.
In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté the sliced onions and bell peppers over medium heat until they become soft and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
Spread the sautéed vegetables evenly across the pizza dough, then layer torn pieces of roast beef on top. Generously cover the beef and vegetables with provolone cheese slices, ensuring complete coverage. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
For the best results, let the pizza rest for 2-3 minutes after removing it from the oven. This brief cooling period allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice and preventing the toppings from sliding off.
If the roast beef seems too thick, ask your deli to slice it extra thin, or briefly freeze the meat to make cutting easier. Serve hot and enjoy the perfect blend of Philly cheesesteak and pizza flavors.
Cooking Steps
When preparing your Philly cheesesteak pizza, you'll want to carefully stretch the pizza dough onto a baking sheet, ensuring an even, thin base that'll crisp beautifully in the oven.
Quickly sauté your vegetables – thinly sliced white onions and green bell peppers – until they're soft and caramelized, which will intensify their natural sweetness and add depth to your pizza's flavor profile.
Layer your roast beef uniformly across the dough, sprinkle with provolone cheese generously, and bake until the crust turns a perfect golden brown and the cheese melts into a luxurious, bubbling layer.
Step 1. Stretch Pizza Dough Carefully
Four essential techniques will help you master stretching pizza dough like a pro. First, always start with room-temperature dough, allowing it to rest for 15-20 minutes before handling.
Use your fingertips to gently press and spread the dough, avoiding aggressive pulling that can tear the gluten structure. Work from the center outward, creating a gradual, even thickness.
Key dough-stretching tips:
- Lightly flour your work surface
- Use the back of your hands to stretch
- Let gravity assist by hanging dough over your knuckles
- Rotate the dough continuously for uniform expansion
- Aim for a thin center with slightly thicker edges
When your dough reaches about 12 inches, transfer it carefully to a prepared baking sheet.
Step 2. Sauté Vegetables Quickly
Because caramelized vegetables can elevate your Philly cheesesteak pizza from good to extraordinary, you'll want to master the art of quick sautéing.
Start by heating a skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Thinly slice your white onion and green bell pepper into uniform strips, ensuring even cooking.
Add vegetables to the hot pan, spreading them out to maximize surface contact. Stir occasionally, letting them develop golden-brown edges without burning.
You'll notice the onions turning translucent and slightly sweet within 4-5 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavors.
Remove from heat just as they reach a perfect caramelized state – soft, slightly charred, and bursting with concentrated sweetness.
These perfectly sautéed vegetables will provide crucial depth and richness to your pizza's flavor profile.
Step 3. Layer Roast Beef Uniformly
Meat distribution can make or break your Philly cheesesteak pizza, transforming it from ordinary to extraordinary. Tear the roast beef into bite-sized pieces, ensuring even coverage across the pizza dough. Aim for a uniform layer that allows each slice to showcase the signature cheesesteak flavor.
Key tips for perfect beef layering:
- Start from the center, working outward in a spiral pattern
- Leave small gaps between beef pieces for cheese to melt through
- Overlap slightly to prevent bare spots
- Distribute approximately 4-5 ounces of roast beef per 12-inch pizza
When placing the meat, use light, gentle movements to prevent tearing the delicate pizza dough. The goal is a balanced, consistent distribution that guarantees each bite delivers the rich, savory essence of a classic Philly cheesesteak.
Step 4. Top With Extra Cheese
The provolone cheese crowns your Philly cheesesteak pizza, transforming it from good to legendary.
You'll want to layer cheese generously, creating a rich, melted blanket that captures every savory morsel. Tear provolone slices into irregular pieces, ensuring even coverage across the pizza's surface. Aim for about 1 cup of cheese, which translates to roughly 4-5 standard deli slices.
Pro cheese-topping tips:
- Place cheese slices close together, slightly overlapping
- Leave small gaps for aesthetic appeal
- Distribute cheese evenly to prevent soggy spots
- Use room-temperature cheese for smoother melting
Position the pizza in the oven's center rack, allowing direct heat to transform the provolone into a golden, bubbling masterpiece that'll make your taste buds sing.
Step 5. Bake Until Crisp and Golden
When your pizza is fully assembled, you'll want to position the baking sheet in the center of a preheated 450°F oven, where direct heat will transform your creation into a crispy, golden masterpiece.
Center the sheet to ensure even cooking, watching for key visual indicators of doneness. The crust should turn a rich, golden-brown color, with provolone cheese melting and bubbling across the surface.
Check for crisp edges that appear slightly raised and caramelized, signaling perfect texture. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through cooking to promote uniform browning, using tongs or a heat-resistant mitt.
After 12-15 minutes, you'll know the pizza is ready when the cheese is completely melted, the crust looks uniformly bronzed, and enticing aromas fill your kitchen.
Final Thoughts
Because pizza lovers and cheesesteak enthusiasts unite over this incredible fusion dish, you'll find this recipe is more than just a meal—it's a culinary adventure.
You'll discover that mastering this pizza requires practice, patience, and a passion for bold flavors. The key is balancing textures: crispy crust, tender beef, and melted cheese create a harmonious bite that'll impress friends and family.
Pro tips for elevating your Philly cheesesteak pizza:
- Choose high-quality, thinly sliced roast beef
- Don't overcrowd the pizza with toppings
- Let the pizza rest before slicing
- Experiment with cheese variations like white American or Cheez Whiz
Your homemade creation will transform ordinary pizza night into an extraordinary dining experience.
