Homemade Philly Cheese Steak Pizza: An Epic Recipe for Your Next Pizza Night

Transform your routine Friday night takeout into an extraordinary culinary adventure with this incredible homemade Philly Cheese Steak Pizza! Imagine a golden, perfectly baked crust loaded with a rich, quick garlic white sauce, generously topped with tender, sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and savory steak. Why settle for delivery when you can craft this masterpiece right in your own kitchen?

Homemade Pizza: A Culinary Game Changer!

This isn’t just another pizza recipe; it’s *the* pizza to elevate your entire pizza game. This Philly Cheese Steak Pizza is an absolute explosion of flavors and textures, all harmoniously piled onto a deliciously crisp, homemade pizza crust. It delivers that satisfyingly beefy and incredibly cheesy experience, but it also caters to all the veggie lovers out there with sweet onions, vibrant bell peppers, and earthy mushrooms. It’s a complete meal that promises to satisfy every palate in the family, all in one glorious bite.

Prepare for your taste buds to rejoice!

When we’re talking about ditching the local pizza joint for this magnificent, handcrafted pie, I honestly don’t think much convincing is needed. But really, let’s just pause for a moment and take a virtual whiff of this bubbling, melty, cheesy, garlicky steak pizza. Oh, and did I mention the secret weapon? The unparalleled homemade garlic white sauce. This isn’t just any sauce; it’s the heart and soul of this pizza, infusing every bite with an irresistible aroma and depth of flavor.

In this house, garlic isn’t just an ingredient; it’s a way of life. Our adoration for all things garlic truly shines through in this recipe, particularly in our signature white sauce.

Crafting this mouthwatering Philly Cheese Steak Pizza begins with the foundation: the pizza crust. While opting for store-bought pizza dough is always a convenient shortcut, especially on busy weeknights, I genuinely encourage you to try your hand at homemade if you have a little extra time on the weekend. There’s an unmatched satisfaction and superior flavor that comes from a freshly made crust. My perfect homemade pizza dough recipe is a fan favorite, yielding a crust that’s both tender and crisp. And for those days when you’re craving homemade but feeling a bit lazy, my no-knead pizza dough is an absolute lifesaver – it’s just as delicious and requires minimal effort. A fantastic tip is to make a large batch of your preferred dough and freeze portions. This way, you’ll always have homemade dough readily available for those sudden cheesesteak pizza cravings, making it incredibly simple to whip up this dish whenever inspiration strikes.

The next essential component, and arguably the secret weapon of this pizza, is the luscious garlic white sauce. This creamy base sets our Philly Cheese Steak Pizza apart from traditional red-sauce varieties. The process begins similarly to any classic white sauce (béchamel), by gently melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking it for about a minute until it smells faintly of baked pie crust – this indicates the raw flour taste has been cooked out. The key to a smooth, lump-free sauce? Slowly stream in COLD milk while continuously whisking. This temperature difference prevents lumps from forming, ensuring a silky consistency. As the milk begins to heat and thicken, incorporate 1 to 3 cloves of freshly pressed garlic. Adjust the amount of garlic to your personal preference; we love a strong garlic kick! Once the sauce reaches a gentle simmer and has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and stir in the final touches: a pinch of salt, a dash of black pepper, a subtle hint of nutmeg (which adds a surprising warmth and depth), and a quarter cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to cool slightly for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the remaining toppings.

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: the steak. For this Philly Cheese Steak Pizza, leftover cooked ribeye, skirt, or flank steaks are absolutely perfect. These cuts are known for their tenderness and rich flavor, making them ideal for thinly slicing. You’ll need a total of 6 ounces of cooked steak for one pizza. If you don’t have leftovers, don’t worry – I’ve included instructions in the notes section on how to quickly cook steak specifically for this recipe. We keep the seasoning on the steak fairly simple, usually just a pinch of salt and pepper, because our garlic white sauce is already so incredibly flavorful and loaded with garlicky goodness. The goal is to complement, not overpower, the other fantastic ingredients.

Moving on to the delightful array of vegetables! I love to load this pizza with plenty of sliced onions, vibrant green bell peppers, and earthy mushrooms. In our household, there’s a playful debate about the ultimate pizza toppings. I’m always rooting for the veggies, championing their freshness and texture, while my husband is definitely on team meat. I’m sure this dynamic isn’t unique and resonates with many households! You have a couple of options for preparing your vegetables: you can either sauté the onions, mushrooms, and peppers lightly before adding them to the pizza, or you can add them raw. Personally, I find that mushrooms tend to release a lot of water when added raw, which can make the pizza crust soggy. For this reason, I almost always give them a quick sauté to remove excess moisture and enhance their flavor. Similarly, if you want to unlock an even deeper, sweeter flavor profile from your onions, you can caramelize them slowly until they are beautifully golden and tender. This optional step adds an incredible complexity to the pizza. Ultimately, there’s no wrong way here; feel free to prepare your vegetables exactly as you like them, ensuring this pizza is perfectly tailored to your taste.

And now, for a crucial ingredient: cheese! In my book, there’s simply no such thing as *too much* cheese on a pizza. We typically gravitate towards shredded mozzarella for its excellent melting properties and mild flavor, but provolone, or even an Italian cheese blend, would be absolutely delicious and melt beautifully. The key is to use a generous amount to create that irresistible, bubbly, golden crust that everyone loves. Feel free to use your favorite cheese or combination of cheeses to achieve your perfect cheesy bliss!

And there you have it! A perfectly baked, golden-crusted pizza, brimming with bubbly, melted cheese, sweet caramelized onions (if you choose!), tender bell peppers, earthy mushrooms, and savory steak—all loaded onto this incredible Philly Cheese Steak Pizza. Every bite is a testament to the joy of homemade cooking and a delightful departure from your usual pizza order.

May your Fridays, and indeed any day you make this, always look this good! ⬇⬇⬇

Yield: 8 slices

Philly Cheese Steak Pizza

Prep Time
30 minutes

Cook Time
40 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 10 minutes

My take on a homemade Philly cheese steak pizza! I’m loading up my homemade pizza crust with a quick garlic white sauce, lots of sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms. So why order out on Friday Night when you can make it at home?

Ingredients

For the Garlic White Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cold milk (whole or 2% recommended)
• 1-3 cloves garlic, freshly pressed or minced (adjust to taste)
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• A pinch of freshly ground black pepper AND ground nutmeg
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza:

• ½ recipe homemade pizza dough (or 1 store-bought 12-inch pizza crust)
• 6 ounces of cooked ribeye, skirt, or flank steak, thinly sliced (refer to notes for cooking instructions if starting with raw steak)
• ½ medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3-5 medium mushrooms, thinly sliced
• ½ small sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 3 teaspoons olive oil (optional, for sautéing vegetables)
• 1 ¼ cup shredded cheese (such as mozzarella, provolone, or an Italian blend)

Instructions for a Perfect Philly Cheese Steak Pizza

1. **Prepare Your Dough & Oven:** Position an oven rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to a blazing 475ºF (245ºC). If using homemade dough, roll it out into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Carefully transfer it to a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal or a baking sheet. Create a slight lip or rim around the edge of the dough, about half an inch thick; this acts as a delicious crust and prevents the sauce from spilling over. Allow the dough to rest for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the garlic white sauce.
2. **Craft the Garlic White Sauce:** In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a smooth paste (a roux) and smells slightly nutty, like baked pie dough. Gradually and slowly stream in the cold milk while continuously whisking to ensure a perfectly smooth, lump-free sauce. Add the pressed garlic. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly. Season with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated and melted. Set the sauce aside to cool for 5-10 minutes; this is a great time to prep your vegetables.
3. **Prepare the Vegetables (Optional Sauté):** While the vegetables can be placed raw on the pizza if you prefer, I highly recommend a quick sauté to enhance their flavor and texture. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with one teaspoon of olive oil. Sauté the thinly sliced onions for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Remove and set aside. Repeat with another teaspoon of oil for the bell peppers, cooking for 2-3 minutes. Finally, add the last teaspoon of oil and sauté the mushrooms until they release their moisture and lightly brown. Sautéing mushrooms prevents them from making your pizza watery. For an extra layer of sweetness, you can caramelize the onions slowly over low heat for a longer period until deeply golden, though this is entirely optional.
4. **Assemble and Bake Your Pizza:** Once your dough has rested, your sauce is ready, and your toppings are prepped, it’s time to assemble! Evenly spread the cooled garlic white sauce over the pizza dough, leaving the crust edge bare. Distribute the thinly sliced cooked steak, followed by your sautéed (or raw) onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Finally, sprinkle generously with your chosen shredded cheese. Transfer the pizza to your preheated oven (or onto a preheated pizza stone/steel for an extra crispy crust). Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pizza crust is lightly golden brown, and the cheese is beautifully bubbling and golden in spots. For the last minute of baking, if you desire extra browning and bubbly cheese, you can carefully switch to the broiler setting, keeping a very close eye on it to prevent burning. Remove from the oven, allow to cool for a minute or two, then slice and serve immediately for the best experience!

Notes and Pro Tips

• **Cooking Steak for Pizza:** If you don’t have leftover cooked steak, here’s how to prepare it quickly: For easier slicing, freeze your steak (ribeye, skirt, or flank) for 20-30 minutes. This firms it up, allowing you to slice it very thinly against the grain. Heat a skillet with 2 teaspoons of oil over medium-high heat. Season the thinly sliced steak with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the meat for a total of 1-2 minutes, flipping it halfway through, until it’s just cooked through and lightly browned. Avoid overcooking, as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven. Remove to a plate and let cool slightly before adding to the pizza.
• **Dough Alternatives:** For an even quicker preparation, use a pre-made pizza crust from your local grocery store. Just ensure it’s a 12-inch size to match the recipe.
• **Spice it Up:** For a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the pizza before baking, or add a pinch to the white sauce.
• **Cheese Variety:** Experiment with other cheeses! A blend of Fontina, Gruyere, or even a sharp cheddar can add different dimensions of flavor.

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly baked pizza filling your home, especially one as hearty and flavorful as this Philly Cheese Steak Pizza. It’s a comforting, satisfying meal that truly brings people together.

If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy these delicious pizza ideas:

Supreme Detroit Style Pizza: A Deep-Dish Delight