The Art Of Making Philly's Cheesesteak Pizza

how is a phiilly steat and cheese pizza made

Philly Cheesesteak Pizza is a mouth-watering combination of two classic comfort foods: the crispy, tender, and delicious Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, and the ever-versatile pizza. This pizza is a meaty, beefy delight with copious amounts of gooey, flavorful cheese. It is loaded with well-seasoned, thinly sliced beef, sautéed peppers, and onions, all coming together on a golden crust. The steak is often marinated and can be substituted with other meats or vegetarian options. The cheese sauce, made with a variety of cheeses, adds a decadent touch, making this pizza a true crowd-pleaser.

Characteristics Values
Base Pizza dough
Sauce Creamy Alfredo sauce, garlic white sauce, mayonnaise, sour cream, cream, garlic, salt, pepper, milk, oregano
Cheese Shredded mozzarella, provolone, Italian cheese blend, American cheese slices, cream cheese, Parmesan
Meat Steak (ribeye, skirt, filet, sirloin, flank), beef, roast beef
Vegetables Peppers, onions, mushrooms
Other ingredients Olive oil, Italian dressing, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, basil, nutmeg, banana peppers
Cooking instructions Bake in the oven at 425-475°F for 10-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted

cycheese

Choosing the steak

Choosing the right steak for your Philly Cheesesteak Pizza is important. The best cut of beef for this dish is thinly sliced ribeye steak, which is also the cut of beef used in traditional Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. If you want to use a different cut of steak, you can choose from flank, skirt, or sirloin steak.

When selecting your steak, opt for a good quality option as this will yield the best texture and flavour. If you want to use ribeye steak, you can either purchase pre-sliced "cheesesteak"-style beef or ask your butcher to thinly slice a ribeye steak for you. You can also slice the steak yourself by partially freezing the meat before thinly slicing it with a sharp knife.

If you are looking for a more affordable option, you can use roast beef slices from the deli counter or frozen varieties of cheesesteak-style beef.

For a vegetarian option, you can replace the beef with sautéed oyster mushrooms or thinly sliced seitan marinated in soy sauce.

cycheese

Preparing the dough

To prepare the dough, start by mixing the flour, water, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. You can use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms. If you are using olive oil, now is the time to add it to the mixture. Once the ingredients are combined, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process helps to develop the gluten in the dough, which gives the crust its characteristic chewiness.

After kneading, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size. This usually takes about an hour, but the time may vary depending on the temperature and humidity of your environment. A good trick to create a warm environment for the dough to rise is to preheat your oven to its lowest setting, turn it off, and then place the covered bowl inside.

Once the dough has risen, it's time to shape it. Punch down the dough to release the air, and then divide it into two or more pieces if you want to make multiple smaller pizzas. Use a rolling pin to roll each piece of dough into a circle, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. You can also stretch the dough by hand if you prefer a more rustic shape. Just be sure to leave a slightly thicker edge around the crust to contain all the delicious toppings!

Finally, let the shaped dough rest for a few minutes before adding your desired sauce and toppings. This will give the gluten a chance to relax, resulting in a more tender crust. And that's it! You're now ready to assemble and bake your very own Philly steak and cheese pizza.

cycheese

Making the sauce

First, melt some butter in a small saucepan. Add garlic to the melted butter and cook for about a minute. Next, whisk in some flour and cook for another minute to get rid of the raw flour taste. Pour in milk slowly, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Keep whisking the mixture until it thickens to a consistency that can coat the back of a spoon. This forms a basic white sauce.

For a cheesier sauce, add in some heavy cream along with the milk and cook over medium-high heat until the sauce boils. Then, add in shredded parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Stir the mixture until the cheese melts and blends well. You can also add in some seasonings of your choice and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes.

The sauce is now ready to be spread over the pizza crust, leaving about an inch from the edge of the crust. You can also add some sliced provolone over the sauce before spreading the steak and veggies on top.

cycheese

Adding toppings

The toppings you choose for your Philly Cheesesteak Pizza are entirely up to you. The traditional route includes steak, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and cheese. However, you can add other vegetables like banana peppers, orange peppers, or spinach. You can also add other meats like roast beef or even make it vegetarian by substituting the beef with oyster mushrooms or seitan.

If you are going for the classic, start by sautéing your peppers, onions, and mushrooms in oil until they are tender. You can also add garlic and cook for another minute. If you are adding meat, you can sauté the steak with the vegetables or separately. The steak should be thinly sliced and well-seasoned. You can also marinate the steak beforehand with Italian dressing, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Once your veggies and meat are cooked, you can start assembling your pizza. Place your pizza dough on a pan and spread your sauce of choice over the crust. You can use a traditional tomato-based pizza sauce, a creamy mock Alfredo sauce, or a cheese sauce. If you want to make a cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and add garlic. After a minute, whisk in flour and then slowly add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue whisking and cooking until the milk has thickened.

After your sauce is spread, you can add your toppings. Start with the pepper mixture, then add your beef, followed by any other toppings you would like. You can add more sauce, pepper rings, or cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and oregano, or another seasoning of your choice.

cycheese

Baking the pizza

Once you've prepared your pizza, it's time to bake it! Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place your prepared pizza on a baking sheet or pizza pan. If you're using a pizza stone, you may not need a pan. Make sure your oven is hot before putting the pizza in.

Bake your pizza for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. You'll know it's done when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you like your pizza extra crispy, you can broil it for an additional 3 to 4 minutes after baking.

Remove your pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy the delicious combination of Philly cheesesteak and pizza!

Tips for baking the perfect pizza:

  • Preheat your oven to ensure even cooking.
  • Use a pizza stone or baking sheet to get a crispy crust.
  • Keep an eye on your pizza to avoid burning.
  • Adjust the baking time as needed depending on your oven and the thickness of your crust.
  • Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing to allow the cheese to set and prevent it from sliding off the slices.

Frequently asked questions

You will need a pizza base, cheese, steak, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. You can also add a sauce of your choice.

You can use shredded mozzarella, provolone, or an Italian cheese blend.

You can use thinly sliced ribeye steak, skirt steak, or sirloin steak.

You should bake the pizza in the oven for 10-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Yes, you can replace the beef with sauteed oyster mushrooms or thinly sliced seitan marinated in soy sauce.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment