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Turn your favorite Philly steak sandwich into a cozy one-pan meal loaded with crispy fries, gooey cheese, and juicy steak. It's perfect for sharing on game night or any time you're after some real comfort food. Every bite comes with melty cheese, seasoned steak, and just the right crunch from the fries. It's hard not to go back for seconds.
The first time I made these fries was for a bunch of friends watching football. Honestly, they vanished faster than anything else I put on the table. Now, folks always ask for them, and I've figured out just the right ratio of melty cheese and crispy fries.
Tasty Ingredients
- Frozen waffle fries: These hold up to lots of toppings and the grooves grab extra cheese and steak
- Olive oil: Helps give the steak a golden, tasty crust as it cooks
- Green bell pepper: Adds a little crunch and a hint of sweetness
- Garlic salt: Skips chopping garlic but still gives a savory kick
- Steak, thinly sliced: Try sirloin or ribeye for the best bite, about 450g
- White American cheese: Melts super smooth for that classic cheese pull
- Black pepper: Freshly ground's best for a little zing
- Onion: Yellow or white both work to nail that Philly feel
Simple Steps to Fix It
- Get Ready to Bake:
- Crank your oven up to 220°C. You need it hot so the fries crisp and the cheese bubbles up just right.
- Sear the Steak:
- Let your skillet heat until it's almost smoking, then pour in olive oil. Lay the steak in one layer, season well with garlic salt and pepper. Let it sit about 45 seconds to brown, then give it a quick stir. It'll cook fast—just a few minutes. Pull it off the heat while it's still a bit pink so it doesn't dry out later.
- Sizzle the Veggies:
- Keep about a spoonful of those tasty juices in the pan. Toss in sliced pepper and onion. Cook for around 5 minutes until they soften but still have a little crunch. Onions go see-through, peppers keep some bite, and that mix of textures is what you want.
- Layer Everything Up:
- Take the pan off the burner and spread out your fries. Layer on a few cheese slices, then half the steak and veggies. Do another round with the rest of the steak and veggies, finishing with more cheese on top so it melts all over.
- Bake Till Melty:
- Move your loaded skillet into the oven. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, watching for that cheese to get melty with golden, bubbly spots around the edges. That's when you know it's done.
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I swear by using waffle fries for this. After lots of tries, I found their chunky shape holds all the cheesy, meaty goodness way better than regular fries. The deep ridges grab onto every bit, so you get the full flavor in each bite and don't end up with mushy fries.
Best Way to Prep the Steak
If you want the real deal Philly style, throw your steak in the freezer for a half hour before slicing. Makes it much easier to cut it super thin, so it cooks in a flash and stays nice and tender. Ribeye's the gold standard, but sirloin is a solid, leaner pick. Just don't let your steak cook too long in the pan—it'll finish up in the oven anyway.
Cheese Swaps
White American cheese melts like a dream and gives you that classic Philly taste, but feel free to try others. Provolone brings some tang, mozzarella mixed with sharp cheddar melts stretchy and adds more flavor, and if you like heat, pepper jack is awesome with the steak. Just use slices, not shredded cheese—it melts much better that way.
Serving Up Ideas
You want to serve these fries fresh out of the oven when they're still super gooey and hot. Put out toppings in little bowls like hot sauce, pickled jalapeños, or cool horseradish so folks can fix up their own plate. To make it a whole meal, toss together a green salad with tart dressing. If you're passing this as an app, grab extra napkins—it gets messy, but that's half the fun.
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Common Queries
- → Are there other steak cuts I can use?
Absolutely! Flank steak, sirloin, or any other quick-cooking cut that can be thinly sliced will work just fine.
- → Which cheese melts best for this meal?
White American cheese is ideal for its smooth, creamy melt, though provolone or cheddar are great alternatives.
- → How can I make it vegetarian?
You can swap the steak with cooked mushrooms or plant-based proteins, following the same steps for layering the toppings.
- → What toppings can I add as garnish?
Sprinkle fresh parsley or chives for a bright finish, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- → What tips can make fries crispier?
Spread them evenly in a single layer and bake them as per the package instructions to achieve maximum crispiness before adding any toppings.