This Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla includes all the ingredients found in the classic Philadelphia sandwich – ribeye steak, provolone cheese, onions, and green peppers – except loaded in a flour tortilla and grilled. Made in 20 minutes, these fusion quesadillas are melty, and meaty, and crispy in every bite.
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Quesadillas are always on rotation in our house. They’re easy to assemble, quick to crisp, and can be stuffed with anything – just cheese, meat, and cheese, or with Dairy Free Butter Chicken, Jerk Chicken, or grilled steak leftovers.
One of our favorite Fusion Recipes, our Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla combines the indulgent Philidelphia sandwich with the flavorful Mexican quesadilla using classic ingredients loaded in a flour tortilla wrap. Using thinly sliced ribeye steak cooked on a flat top, grilled onions and green peppers, and provolone cheese.
A little oil in a hot pan, place the quesadilla down and press. Then flip and repeat until the tortillas are golden and crisp and the cheese is melted. this cheesesteak quesadilla recipe is melty, meaty, and messy – in the best way possible. It’s the kind of recipe that encourages creativity and endless toppings like fried onions, peppers, mushrooms, or pickles, or with condiments like Cheesewhiz, mayo, mustard, and ketchup – ingredients you'd find in a traditional bodega.
If our Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas look good to you, you’ll also love our Carne Asada Steak Quesadillas or the similar yet completely different, Chopped Cheese Sandwich.
Ingredient List
- Ribeye steak: the preferred choice for flavor and tenderness. Slice as thinly as possible for this recipe.
- White onion: the most common addition to a Philly cheesesteak.
- Green bell peppers: though not essential to the original, bell peppers are a popular addition to Philly cheesesteaks.
- Salt: fine sea salt or kosher salt.
- Pepper: freshly ground black pepper.
- Tortillas: we like to use a 10-12" flour tortilla for our Philly cheesesteak quesadillas.
- Provolone cheese: the original cheese for Philly cheesesteaks. If unavailable, fontina, mozzarella, or Monterey jack will also work.
- Sauce for dipping: some like sour cream, some like mayo, some like something else altogether.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Recipe Steps: How to Make Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas
1. Prepare the beef.
Slice the ribeye steak as thinly as possible, either against the grain or with the knife on a 30° angle.
2. Cook the onions and peppers.
Saute the onions and peppers in a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
3. Sear the beef.
Using the same pan, sear the beef over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes per side, until browned, season, and set aside.
4. Assemble the quesadilla.
Lay 2-3 slices of provolone cheese on one half of the tortilla. Top with beef, then a good spoonful of the grilled onions and peppers. Top with more cheese, fold the wrap over and give it a press to hold it in place. Repeat with remaining wraps and filling.
5. Pan-fry the quesadilla until crispy.
Using the same pan, heat on medium and drizzle it lightly with olive oil. Lay 1-2 quesadillas in the pan and cook for 2-4 minutes per side, flipping once the tortilla is golden brown and crisp, and the cheese is melted. Cool on a wire rack and slice before serving.
Chef's Tips
Slicing the beef: chill the ribeye steak in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This firms up the meat and makes it easier to achieve very thin slices.
Searing the beef: to ensure you get a good sear and evenly cooked beef, lay the slices out individually on the pan and make sure they don't overlap. Cook the beef in batches if necessary.
Variations
- Spicy - replace half the green peppers with jalapeno slices, or top the peppers and onions with hot sauce before finishing with cheese.
- Fully loaded - saute button mushrooms along with the peppers and onions, then top with cheese whiz before closing.
- Sauce variations - the possibilities are endless for dipping your Philly cheesesteak quesadilla; sour cream, mayo, and hot sauce are our favorites. Other options include Mac Sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing.
- Grilled Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla - these quesadillas can also be fully grilled. To do so, season and sear the whole ribeye steak to medium-rare, along with onion and pepper rings. Assemble as per the recipe then grill the assembled quesadillas for 2-3 minutes per side until the cheese is melted and the tortillas have good grill marks.
Recipe Card
Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 12 oz ribeye steak
- 1 medium white onion halved and thinly sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper seeds removed and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus additional for frying the quesadillas
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 slices provolone cheese
- 4 large tortillas
- ½ cup sour cream for dipping
Instructions
- Slice the ribeye steak as thinly as possible, either against the grain or with the knife on a 30° angle.
- Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and peppers, then season with salt and pepper. Saute for 5-8 minutes, stirring often, until cooked through with some caramelization on the onions.
- Return the pan to medium-high heat and arrange the ribeye slices in a single layer on the skillet, ensuring they don't overlap (work in batches if necessary). Season generously with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until seared, then set aside.
- To assemble the quesadillas, arrange two slices of provolone cheese on one half of the tortilla. Top with a quarter of the beef, then a quarter of the sauteed vegetables. Finish with another 2 slices of provolone and fold the quesadilla closed and give it a press to hold it in place. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Reheat the same skillet used throughout over medium heat with a very light drizzle of olive oil. Lay 1-2 quesadillas in the pan and fry for 2-4 minutes per side, until the tortilla is golden and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted and beginning to ooze out of the quesadilla.
- Place the cooked quesadillas on a wire rack to cool slightly then cut them in halves or thirds using a very sharp chef's knife. Serve immediately with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Additional Information
Janet says
I love the use of red wine in the onions and peppers. It makes this a more grown up version of quesadillas! Awesome.
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
I can see many family members fighting over this one! You guys really know how to show off the star of the show (Tipsy was awesome!!)
chefsouschef says
LOL! We fight over it too Kacey. The Tipsy was definitely a perfect fit for this recipe.
Isabelle @ Crumb says
What a great way of showing off that beautiful Tipsy cheese. I love the way you've added another layer of flavour with the drunken veggies... this is definitely my kind of quesadilla!
chefsouschef says
Thanks so much Isabelle!
Amanda says
Delish! I love how it's loaded with veggies and ooey gooey, melty cheese. Your spice mixture sounds like the perfect compliment to the Tipsy cheese! Cheers!
chefsouschef says
Thanks Amanda! All the ingredients worked so well together. The Tipsy cheese was the perfect for quesadillas!