Inspired by the legendary cheesesteaks of Philadelphia, this Authentic Philly Sandwich Dip transforms your favorite sandwich into a warm, melty, party-perfect appetizer.
This bold, savory dip brings together sizzling beef, sweet peppers, and a creamy blend of cheeses, delivering everything you love about Philly in every bite.
Bold Building Blocks: Ingredients in this Authentic Philly Sandwich Dip
- Lean ground beef – The heart of the dip, rich and savory, providing a satisfying, meaty bite in every scoop.
- Red and green bell peppers – A colorful crunch that adds sweetness and iconic cheesesteak flavor.
- White onion – Aromatic and slightly sweet when sautéed, balancing the richness of the meat and cheese.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds deep umami notes and ties the savory elements together.
- Garlic – Brings boldness and a punch of flavor that enhances every other ingredient.
- Cream cheese – The creamy base that transforms the filling into a luscious dip.
- Sour cream – Adds tang and silkiness for a perfectly smooth finish.
- Provolone or Swiss cheese – Melts beautifully, adding a gooey layer of classic cheesesteak flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese – Provides stretch and melt, binding everything in irresistible cheesy goodness.
Scoop It Up: How to Make This Authentic Philly Sandwich Dip
Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet and seasoning it well. As the beef cooks, toss in the diced onions and peppers, letting them soften and blend their sweetness with the meat.
Once the vegetables are tender, stir in Worcestershire sauce and garlic, giving the mix a rich, savory depth. Add chunks of cream cheese and mix until smooth and melted, then fold in sour cream and shredded mozzarella for that creamy, dreamy dip texture.
Layer the cheesy meat mixture with slices of provolone or Swiss in a baking dish, topping it all with more of the good stuff. After a quick bake, serve hot with crusty rolls, crackers, or chips for the ultimate Philly experience in dip form.
Melty Tips for the Perfect Dip Every Time
For the best texture, use freshly shredded mozzarella rather than pre-shredded, which contains anti-caking agents that can interfere with melting. Let your cream cheese come to room temperature before stirring it in—it’ll melt faster and mix more smoothly.
Want a spicy twist? Add a few dashes of hot sauce or chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture. If you’re out of ground beef, chopped deli roast beef makes a great substitute to bring it even closer to the classic sandwich. Toasted baguette slices also make a perfect pairing if you want to go beyond chips and crackers.
Keeping it Fresh: How to Store Your Philly Sandwich Dip
Leftovers of this dip are rare, but if you’re lucky enough to have any, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, stirring halfway through for even melting.
For longer storage, freeze the fully baked dip (minus any topping cheese) in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake until hot and bubbly, adding fresh cheese on top before reheating.
Authentic Philly Sandwich Dip
Ingredients
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- 1 cup freshly shredded Mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 4 slices Provolone or Swiss cheese
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- 1 white onion diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, seasoning with salt and pepper as it cooks.
- Introduce the diced onions along with both the green and red bell peppers into the skillet. Continue to cook until the vegetables soften and the meat is fully browned.
- Eliminate excess grease from the skillet.
- Incorporate the Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic, stirring thoroughly.
- Mix in the cubed cream cheese, stirring constantly until it melts and combines smoothly with the meat mixture.
- Blend in the sour cream followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese, stirring until the cheeses are fully melted and integrated.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Lightly coat a baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Spoon a portion of the meat mixture into the dish, then layer with provolone or Swiss cheese slices.
- Repeat the layering process, finishing with the remaining cheese atop the final meat layer.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Serve warm with hard rolls, crackers, or sturdy chips for dipping.
