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This cheesy handheld recipe gives you all the classic Philly cheesesteak flavors—savory beef, caramelized onions, peppers, and gooey cheese—wrapped in a crispy keto-friendly shell. These rolls skip the carbs yet pack in serious flavor and make weeknight dinners both satisfying and fun. They have saved dinnertime at my house more than once after a long day because my family can never say no to melted cheese and warm, beefy filling.
The first time I made these, I was honestly amazed at how fast they disappeared from the tray. Now, friends beg me to bring a batch to every get-together and my husband always requests extra onions.
Gather Your Ingredients
- Monterey Jack cheese, shredded: creates the crisp cheesy shell with rich nutty notes always choose cheese blocks you shred yourself for meltier texture
- Ground beef: brings classic savory flavor go for 85 or 90 percent lean for the perfect meat-to-fat balance
- Onion, sliced thinly: imparts sweetness as it caramelizes look for firm dry onions with bright skin
- Bell pepper, sliced: adds color freshness and a subtle sweet bite select vibrant peppers that feel heavy for their size
- Worcestershire sauce: provides deep umami stick to aged varieties for robust flavor or swap for coconut aminos if gluten-free
- Cream cheese: makes the filling ultra creamy and cohesive always use full-fat for best results
- Salt and pepper: wake up all the flavors taste your beef mixture before rolling to make sure seasoning sings
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded, or provolone: for extra meltiness helps the fathead dough provide elasticity to the cheese shell
- Egg: gives structure and helps the dough hold together farm-fresh eggs have deeper color and flavor
- Almond flour or coconut flour: adds structure to dough buy super-fine almond flour or sift coconut flour to prevent lumps
- Fresh parsley or a pinch of garlic powder: brightens the finished rolls garlic powder with no clumps gives the best punch
How to Make It
- Prepare the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy roll removal and no sticky clean-up.
- Cook the Beef Mixture:
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the ground beef breaking it apart with a spatula so it cooks evenly. As the meat starts turning brown sprinkle in the sliced onion and bell pepper. Sauté together until beef is fully browned and veggies are soft which takes about 7 minutes. Drain any extra grease so your rolls retain their crisp and never turn limp.
- Season and Add Cheese:
- With pan over medium heat stir in Worcestershire sauce salt and pepper. Dice or cube the cream cheese and slowly add it to the skillet stirring constantly. Melt until smooth and the filling becomes creamy and glossy. Set aside to cool slightly while you make the wraps.
- Create Cheese Circles:
- Spoon about one quarter cup of shredded Monterey Jack into eight rounds on your parchment-lined tray. Use the back of your spoon to keep them round and evenly thick for best results. Bake circles for eight to ten minutes until edges just turn golden but cheese is still pliable. Watch closely in those final minutes as cheese goes from perfect to too crisp quickly.
- Assemble the Roll-Ups:
- Let cheese circles cool about one minute to reach that perfect flexible stage. Place a generous tablespoon or two of beef filling in a line across each cheese circle and roll away from you with tongs or a spatula. Roll tight but not so tight cheese splits. Let set another two minutes for cheese to firm up.
- Fathead Dough Alternative:
- If you want a classic bread-like bite combine melted mozzarella and cream cheese then stir in an egg and almond or coconut flour with salt. Shape dough into thin rounds on parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for twelve to fifteen minutes until lightly golden. Add filling and roll as with cheese circles.
- Tortilla-Style Shortcut:
- For a super fast method use keto-friendly tortillas briefly warmed. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese add beef mixture roll tightly and seal briefly in skillet.
My favorite part of this recipe is the cheese shell it gets those crispy lacy edges every time. A few batches ago my son ran in right as they came out of the oven and swiped one straight off the tray because he could not resist that molten cheese smell.
Flavor Boosters
Keep leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For longer storage freeze individual roll-ups on a tray until solid then transfer to freezer bags marked with the date. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven so they stay crispy not soggy.
Serving Suggestions
Dual up these rolls with garlicky zucchini noodles or a green salad tossed in vinaigrette for a balanced meal. My family loves a scoop of cauliflower mash alongside for an extra comfort food moment. For a party platter serve with tangy pickles and roasted broccoli for dipping.
Creative Twists
You can transform these with ease—swap ground beef for thinly sliced steak or even roast beef for a classic Philly feel. For dairy-free go with meltable cheese alternatives though the texture will be a little different. If you have nut allergies try coconut flour instead of almond in the fathead dough but use less since it absorbs more liquid.
Nothing beats seeing a tray of these disappear in minutes. Play with fillings and cheeses to make them your own and do not forget the extra napkins because you will want to savor every gooey handheld bite.
Common Questions About This Recipe
- → Can these roll-ups be made ahead of time?
Yes, these roll-ups are meal prep-friendly. Assemble and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months.
- → What types of cheese can I use for the outer layer?
Monterey Jack, cheddar, and provolone all work well due to their meltability. Avoid low-fat cheeses, which can become brittle when cooled.
- → Is it possible to use steak instead of ground beef?
Yes. Thinly sliced ribeye or sirloin cooked quickly on high heat is a delicious substitute, offering a more authentic Philly experience.
- → How can I modify these for a dairy-free diet?
Replace regular cheese with plant-based melting cheeses. The flavor and texture will be different, but it remains a tasty dairy-free option.
- → Can coconut flour replace almond flour in the dough?
Yes, but use less coconut flour (about 1/4 cup) since it's more absorbent. Adjust liquids as needed for dough consistency.
- → Are these suitable for meal prep?
Definitely. Let the rolls cool fully after baking before storing. They reheat well in the microwave or oven, making them ideal for advance meals.