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Last Updated on December 22, 2020 by Aimee
I love spur of the moment recipes and this Easy Philly Cheesesteak Pizza is one of them! I had leftover green peppers that needed to be used and I always have onions and some type of shredded cheese on hand. The dough is actually a simple focaccia recipe I’ve been making and loving for years.
Bonus recipe at the end for Caramelized Onion and Mozzarella Focaccia 🙂
What is the difference between pizza dough and focaccia dough?
The primary difference between focaccia and pizza dough is simply yeast content. Focaccia uses more yeast, making it rise higher with a firmer crust. You can find packets of three in the baking aisle, usually near baking powder and baking soda for about a dollar or so.
How to make focaccia dough:
The first step is to make the dough. I’m using a focaccia recipe here which can be made using the dough cycle of a bread machine OR using a stand mixer with a dough hook. You can also do all of that by hand.
I’m going to give you my recipe, but feel free to use any prepared pizza dough, or your own favorite homemade recipe.
While the dough is rising, saute onions and green peppers in a bit of oil and butter. I like to use both. The oil helps with the higher cooking temperature and the butter is for flavor 🙂
I am using shaved sirloin. My store sells this one by Gary’s Quicksteak and it comes with a seasoning packet. But they also sell Cheesesteak sirloin ready-to-go in the meat department. If you cannot find it, just buy a small sirloin steak and slice it very thinly. For this method, it really helps to have the sirloin slightly, but not completely, frozen.
How to make Philly Cheesesteak Pizza:
When the dough has risen the second time (after being pressed into an unlined sheet pan), using your fingers, make some indentations so the filling has somewhere to go.
- The first layer is shredded cheese. I used mozzarella.
- Layer two is the shaved sirloin.
- Next, add your cooked onions and peppers.
- Lastly, add another layer of cheese!
Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 to 18 minutes or until golden. I like to lift up the pizzas and check the underside for doneness as well.
BONUS {VEGETARIAN} VERSION!
Want to make that Caramelized Onion Focaccia instead? In a separate skillet, add oil, butter, sliced onion AND a tablespoon of sugar. Cook over medium heat and stir frequently until golden and caramelized. They should taste almost sweet! Spread them over the dough and top with Mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden.
Did you make this recipe for my Easy Philly Cheesesteak Pizza? Leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought. You can also tag me with your creations on Instagram @aimee_stock. I always love seeing what you come up with.
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Easy Philly Cheesesteak Pizza
Equipment
- Sheet Pan
- Non-Stick Skillet
- Bread Machine (OPTIONAL if using that dough recipe)
Ingredients
FOR THE DOUGH:
- 3/4 c Water room temperature
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil you could also use vegetable oil if that's all you have
- 2 c Bread Flour OR All Purpose Flour my recipe used bread flour, but they are interchangeable 1:1
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 tsp Yeast if using packets, measure out 1 1/2 teaspoons from the packet
FOR THE TOPPINGS (Philly Cheesesteak version):
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter or Margarine
- 1 large Green Bell Pepper sliced
- 1 medium Onion sliced
- 1/2 lb Sirloin sliced thin
- Steak Seasoning something flavorful like Montreal Steak Seasoning
- 1 c Mozzarella Cheese divided, half added before the meat and vegetables and the remaining half on top
FOR THE TOPPINGS (Caramelized Onion version):
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 large Onion sliced thin
- 1/2 c Mozzarella Cheese
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
TO MAKE THE DOUGH USING A BREAD MACHINE (dough cycle)
- IF USING A BREAD MACHINE, set to the DOUGH CYCLE and add all ingredients in the order listed. Most machines will run about 1 hour and 40 minutes from mixing to the first rise before knocking down the dough.
TO MAKE THE DOUGH USING A STAND MIXER:
- In a bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast in warm water (110° to 115° F).
- Add the remaining ingredients to the yeast. Fit the mixer with a dough hook. If you don’t have a dough hook, the paddle attachment will work. Beat the dough until smooth. Shape into a ball.
TO MAKE THE DOUGH BY HAND:
- You can also do this all by hand, kneading for about 5 to 6 minutes or until smooth. Shape into a ball.
FOR ALL METHODS:
- Place the dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray to keep it from drying out, turning once to coat the top.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled. This takes about 30 minutes.
- Punch dough down, just to remove air bubbles. Then, shape the dough into the unlined sheet pan.
- Cover and let it rise one last time, about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
TO MAKE THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK FILLING:
- In a large pan, add oil and butter. Cook the sliced onions and green bell peppers over HIGH heat, stirring frequently until desired tenderness.
- Remove the vegetables and then add the shaved sirloin to your pan with either the seasoning packet that comes with it, or a prepared steak seasoning such as Montreal Steak Seasoning.
- Using your fingers, make indentations in the dough. Layer cheese, sirloin, veggies and then more cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden.
TO MAKE THE CARAMELIZED ONION FILLING OPTION:
- In a large skillet, add oil and butter. Add the sliced onions and a tablespoon of sugar. Cook over MEDIUM heat, stirring frequently until golden and caramelized. This will take about 20 minutes.
- Using your fingers, make indentations in the dough. Layer caramelized onions and cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden. Garnish with chopped parsley.