Cheesy Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

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This Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is everything you want from a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich but without all the carbs! Thinly shaved rib eye with sautéed onions and peppers, topped with melted provolone cheese layered and baked. An easy and healthy low-carb, one-pan dinner everyone will love!

Image of finished keto philly cheesesteak casserole in cast iron skillet with blue banner and yellow and white lettering.

This quick and easy casserole is so delicious! I might even go as far as saying it is the BEST cheesesteak casserole out there. All the authentic flavors and comfort food of a Philly cheesesteak without the bun (and carbs)! I cooked everything in a cast-iron skillet, so it is the perfect weeknight meal when you want to have minimal cleanup and optimal tastiness (and even leftovers)! This keto-friendly recipe is simple to throw together, making it ideal for meal prepping and freezing!

Have you tried my Low Carb Chicken Philly Cheesesteak {Keto Friendly} yet?

Ingredients For Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe

  • Shaved Ribeye Steak: This is your main meat, packed with flavor and dense protein.
  • Avocado Oil: Gives your steak and veggies a nice sear and makes sure everything cooks evenly without losing its yummy flavor.
  • Butter: Helps cook the steak and vegetables, making everything tasty and not sticking to the pan.
  • Onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor to the dish, giving extra taste and adding a nice background taste to the steak.
  • Red and Green Bell Peppers: Bring vibrant colors and a fresh, slightly sweet taste to the dish, giving it a crunchy texture and pop of flavor.
  • Mushrooms: Adds an earthy, savory taste to the dish.
  • Garlic: It’s like a flavor booster! Makes everything smell and taste great.
  • Beef Broth: This creates a savory flavor in your dish and ties all the flavors together.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: This is like a flavor booster, adding a tangy, slightly sweet kick for the overall taste.
  • Braggs Aminos: Adds a savory, soy sauce-like richness that enhances the dish’s flavor.
  • Salt and Pepper: Compliments the natural flavors and adds a little kick.
  • Provolone Cheese: This goes on top of everything at the end. It melts and makes everything all cheesy and delicious!

Image of cast iron skillet with browning cubes of steak.

Steps For Making Low-Carb Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

*this is a step-by-step guide for visual learners; scroll to the bottom of the post for complete recipe instructions

Step 1: Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. (I use this 10 1/2″ skillet for this recipe.) Sear seasoned steak in two batches and set meat aside. Crowding your skillet will not allow the meat to brown nicely!

Tip: The best way to sear the shaved ribeye steak is by first using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then, preheat a skillet over high heat, add a thin layer of oil, and sear the steak for 1-2 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms, flipping it when the edges brown and the surface easily releases from the skillet.

Collage image of cast iron skillet with mixed bell peppers and provolone cheese place on top

Step 2: Add butter to the skillet and throw in your green bell peppers, red peppers, onions, garlic, and mushrooms (feel free to leave a veggie out if you prefer). Sautee until the veggies are soft. Add beef broth, Braggs Aminos, Worcestershire sauce, and salt/pepper. Cover with a lid and simmer for two minutes.

Step 3: Add seared beef back to the pan and cook over medium heat for two more minutes. Place provolone cheese slices on top of the steak and veggies, covering as much as possible!

Image of finished philly cheesesteak casserole in cast iron skillet

Step 4: Place the skillet or oven-proof pan in the oven under the broiler for 1-3 minutes or until the cheese begins to bubble and brown. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn! Serve hot!

Top Tips And Tricks For Making Philly Cheese Steak Casserole Recipe

  • Prep Ahead: You can chop veggies and season the steak earlier to make cooking smoother.
  • Sear the Steak: Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the steak. A hot skillet helps get that beautiful sear and locks in the juices.
  • Don’t Overcrowd: Cook the steak in batches if needed. Overcrowding the skillet can make the steak steam instead of sear, affecting its texture.
  • Veggie Order: Start with denser veggies like onions and peppers, then add quicker-cooking ones like mushrooms. It helps them all cook evenly.
  • Taste and Adjust: Always taste your dish before finishing. If it needs more seasoning or a hint of spice, now’s the time to add it.
  • Broiler Caution: Keep a close eye on the cheese under the broiler! It can go from melty goodness to burnt real quick.
  • Let it Rest: After cooking, let the dish sit for a few minutes. This helps the flavors mingle and the cheese settle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is This Philly Cheesesteak Ground Beef Casserole Recipe Keto?

Yes. No hoagie rolls here! This recipe is very keto-friendly and has minimal carbs. If you prefer to reduce carbs, remove the bell peppers from this recipe or use less. (Half a bell pepper has 3 net grams of carbs.) If you still want a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, a chaffle is a fantastic low-carb alternative for a bun.

What Is The Best Meat For A Philly Cheesesteak?

A traditional “Philly Cheesesteak” is made with thinly sliced ribeye. Ribeye steaks are a bit pricey, but for a good reason. The meat is quality! It has a good amount of fat and will give you a tender, juicy, and delicious steak casserole.

If you are on a budget, you can use a skirt or sirloin steak instead! Just make sure it is THINLY SLICED. If you can’t do this properly, ask the butcher to shave your meat. They have the tools to do this, and I’m sure they would happily do it for you.

Another meat option is to use ground beef! The flavors will still be there, and the result will still be tender and juicy. Plus, it is cost-efficient.

Tip: Ask the butcher at the grocery store to shave the ribeye for you.

Are There Any Alternatives To Provolone Cheese?

Yes! Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Havarti, or cheddar cheese can substitute for provolone.

How Long Should I Cook The Steak And Veggies In The Skillet?

Aim for a nice brown color for steak, and veggies should be soft but not mushy—about 4-5 minutes for each step.

How To Make This Philly Cheesesteak Skillet Ahead of Time

Follow all the steps above before you add your cheese. Then place the entire, covered skillet in the fridge until ready. Warm up the steak and veggies on the stove and continue with step 3 above; add your provolone cheese and broil.

What Size Skillet Should I Use For This Recipe?

A medium-sized skillet around 10-12 inches should work well.

Can I Use Olive Oil Instead Of Avocado Oil?

Yes, olive oil works fine for cooking the steak and veggies.

Don’t Have A Cast-Iron Skillet?

If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you can use a regular oven-safe skillet to do the same job. Another option is to prepare the veggies and steak, as stated above. Then, transfer everything to a small casserole dish (similar in size to a skillet) and layer with your provolone. Cover and refrigerate or freeze until you’re ready to reheat. Be careful about reheating since you do not want to overcook your steak!

Tip: Cast iron skillets are very affordable and last forever! A few that I have were my grandmothers and over 50 years old. A cast-iron skillet is a worthwhile investment and typically less than $20.

Storage And Reheating Instructions

  • Store your casserole in the skillet itself covered and keep it in the fridge or an air-tight container until you’re ready to reheat. You can also store the mixture in a casserole dish (see below).
  • You can freeze your casserole by placing the cooked steak and veggies in a freezer-safe dish and seal it with a lid or plastic wrap/foil. Try to find a baking dish about the size of your skillet.

Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe Variations

  • Different Protein: Swap out ribeye for sirloin, flank steak, or chicken strips if you prefer a change.
  • Veggie Variety: Mix up your veggie choices by trying zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or spinach for a different taste and texture.
  • Herbal Addition: Try tossing in fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil to add an extra flavor.
  • Spice It Up: For a kick, add red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce to amp up the heat.
  • Keto Bread: You can enjoy Philly Cheesesteak as a sandwich on a chaffle,  90-second bread made with coconut flouralmond flour, or low-carb store bought bread.
  • Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb alternative to traditional rice, try serving this casserole with some cauliflower rice. Grate a head of cauliflower and sauté it in a pan with some butter or oil until tender.

More Keto Casseroles:

Image of finished keto philly cheesesteak casserole with melted cheese on top, served in cast iron skillet
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4.81 from 31 votes

Cheesy Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

This Cheesy Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is everything you want from a Philly cheesesteak sandwich but without all the carbs! Thinly shaved rib eye with sauteed onions and peppers, topped with melted provolone cheese layered and baked. An easy and healthy low carb weeknight dinner everyone will love!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 368kcal
Author: Kasey Trenum

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat avocado oil in a medium-sized pan on medium-high heat. I used a 10 1/2-inch pan.
  • Season your steak with a bit of salt and pepper.
  • Cook the steak in two parts. If you put too much in the pan, it won’t cook well. Once it's browned, take it out and put it aside.
  • In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of butter along with peppers, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Cook until they're soft.
  • Pour in beef broth, Braggs Aminos, Worcestershire sauce, and some more salt and pepper. Cover the pan and let it simmer for about 4 minutes.
  • Put the cooked steak back into the pan and let everything cook together for 2 minutes on medium heat.
  • Lay the provolone cheese on top, covering everything in the pan.
  • Move the pan to your oven on the broil setting for 1-3 minutes. Keep an eye on it; the cheese can burn quickly!

Notes

*Traditionally, a Philly Cheesesteak is made with thinly sliced ribeye. Ribeye steaks are pricier but the best meat to use. If you are on a budget, you can also use skirt steak or sirloin. Another meat option is to use ground beef! The flavors will still be there.

Don't have a cast-iron skillet?

If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, you can use a regular oven-safe skillet to do the same job. Another option is to prepare the veggies and steak as stated above. Then transfer everything to a small casserole dish (similar in size to a skillet) and layer with the provolone. Cover and refrigerate or freeze until your ready to reheat. Be careful about reheating since you do not want to overcook your steak!

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 582mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 669IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 225mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @kaseytrenumblogger or tag #kaseytrenumblogger!

Collage image of finished philly cheesesteak keto casserole being served in cast iron skillet, with blue banner and yellow and white wording

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23 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious. I left out the mushrooms and used a whole sliced onion. Also, didn’t have Provolone cheese so subbed sliced GOUDA cheese and it turned out nicely melted. I served with mashed cauliflower. Tomorrow’s lunch will become CHEESESTEAK CHAFFLES. Oh yeah.

  2. 5 stars
    I try to find ways to get my son to eat vegetables, and this recipe was a big hit. We enjoyed the casserole immensely and look forward to having the leftovers. The only thing I would say is that I must be a very slow cook because my prep and cook time greatly exceeded yours. From the moment I began assembling ingredients to the finished product was almost 50 minutes.

    1. Glad you enjoyed it and it was a hit! Each person certainly takes different time prepping and all ovens cook differently.

  3. Thank you forall the great recipes you share freely with us. It’s greatly appreciated!

    I subbed ground beef for ribeye, it worked great!

  4. 5 stars
    OMG this was amazing!! It is definitely one of my go to meals during the week. Super easy and super yummy! Even my husband who is pretty picky eater and loves his cheesesteaks was impressed with this.

  5. 5 stars
    I made this for my family tonight and it was a huge hit!!! I have two teenage boys and a husband that has the metabolism of a teenage boy, so I increased the recipe. Had my butcher shave a 2.5 ribeye and did 3 peppers and 3 onions (still used the same amount of mushrooms because ai’m the only fan). EVERYONE loved it! So easy and so good!

  6. 5 stars
    The only change I made was to add a whole onion and it was DELISH! I would add even more peppers & onions next time, but that’s just because I don’t normally eat steak and it’s definitely meaty. The whole family enjoyed it, and we’ve added it to our “line up”. This is a keeper even if you’re not doing low carb!

  7. 5 stars
    Wow, so yummy! I used ground beef and it only took me about 30 minutes total to whip this meal up! I also do not follow keto so I subbed the aminos for soy sauce, added about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese, and served the final product in a hoagie roll! Definitely going to start making this often!

  8. 5 stars
    I just made this for the second time and HAD to come leave a review! This recipe is sooooo yummy! I use ground beef, leave out the mushrooms, and serve it in a hoagie. My husband loves it, too! So glad I found this!

    1. Sure! But avocado oil tends to handle the higher heat for searing better than olive oil.

    1. The number is servings is listed at the top of the recipe card. I eyeball it and divide the recipe evenly by that number.

  9. 5 stars
    This is SO good!! I try to stick to the recipe as written and it is one of our go to meals for a quick and delicious dinner. Thanks a lot for your recipes.

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