
Grab a spoon for this twist on a Philly favorite! This hearty Philly Cheesesteak Soup packs all the sandwich goodies - juicy steak bits, gooey cheese, and sweet bell peppers - into a thick, dreamy broth that'll warm you right up. Whip it up in under an hour but taste like you've been cooking all day long.
While testing different versions, I found that getting a good sear on the meat and layering the flavors one by one totally makes this soup sing.
Key Ingredients
- Beef Steak: Go for fatty cuts like ribeye or top round for best flavor
- Bell Peppers: Traditional green works great, but red or yellow add nice color
- Quality Cheese: Mix of white cheddar and provolone brings that authentic taste
- Fresh Garlic: Builds the flavor foundation
- Heavy Cream: Makes everything velvety smooth
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds that meaty punch
- Fresh Bread: For homemade toppers that take this soup to another level
Step-By-Step Guide
- Beef Preparation (10 minutes):
- Cut beef into thin strips against the grain. Add plenty of salt and pepper. Let it sit out while you chop everything else. Dry it off with paper towels before cooking for better browning.
- Building the Base (15 minutes):
- Pour olive oil into a heavy pot. Cook down your onions, carrots, and celery until soft. Toss in garlic just until you can smell it. Sprinkle veggies with flour and cook for a minute to get rid of the raw flour taste. Pour in beef broth slowly while stirring. Let it bubble gently.
- Searing the Beef (8-10 minutes):
- Get your pan smoking hot. Cook beef in small amounts so it browns instead of steams. Just a minute or two per side. Set aside. Cook peppers in the same pan. Save some meat and peppers for topping later.
- Creating the Soup (12-15 minutes):
- Add a splash of Worcestershire to your broth. Cook until it starts to thicken. Blend smooth if you want. Pour in cream. Add cheeses a handful at a time while stirring. Put most beef and peppers back in.
- Crouton Creation (10 minutes):
- Dice bread into squares. Mix with olive oil and spices. Spread out on a baking tray. Bake until crunchy and golden. Let cool a bit before using.

The real magic trick I stumbled on was keeping some beef and peppers aside for topping each bowl - it makes everything look fancier and gives you different textures in each bite.
Fixing Common Problems
- If Soup is Too Thick: Stir in hot beef broth little by little
- If Cheese is Stringy: Turn down heat and keep whisking
- If Beef is Tough: Cut it thinner next time around
- If Croutons Are Soggy: Bake longer and let them cool fully

Prep-Ahead Plans
For best results:
- Make the soup base up to 2 days early
- Slice and season beef, keep it wrapped separately
- Bake croutons a day ahead and store in sealed container
- Cook beef and finish the soup right before eating
- Add your toppings at the last second
Leftover Tips
- Keep soup and toppings in different containers
- Stays good in the fridge for 4 days
- Freeze just the base without dairy added
- Warm up slowly to keep everything smooth
- Always make fresh crunchy toppers for leftovers
Tasty Twists
- Swap in mushrooms for a meatless option
- Try mixing up your cheese choices
- Throw in some sweet browned onions
- Mix in oven-roasted garlic cloves
- Use different bread types for your croutons
This soup takes everything you love about a classic Philly sandwich and turns it into pure bowl-licking goodness. Each spoonful delivers that perfect cheesesteak experience but in a cozy, slurpable form. Serve it for family dinner or as a fancy starter for guests - either way, people will definitely ask for seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions
- → How can I keep the beef soft?
- Cut the beef thin and cook over medium-high heat just until browned to lock in tenderness.
- → Is it okay to freeze this dish?
- Definitely! Store in a sealed container, and it’ll be good in the freezer for up to three months.
- → What’s the point of blending veggies?
- Blending gives the soup its creamy texture and lets the veggie flavors shine through every bite.
- → When’s the best time to add salt?
- Wait till the end, since the broth thickens and intensifies as it cooks.
- → How long can I keep leftover soup?
- It’ll stay great in the fridge for about five days if you keep it airtight.