Looking for a full flavored lunch to keep you going? These Spicy Cajun Cheesesteak Sandwiches are spicy and flavorful and are easy and fast enough to make for lunch!
We love a little spice! If you do, too, also try this Spicy Chicken Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Mayo or these Spicy Shrimp Bowls.
I am a cookbook lover – this is no secret. And a cookbook collector. I honestly don’t know how many I have, but it’s several hundred. And when you have that many cookbooks, it’s pretty obvious that you aren’t cooking from all of them on a regular basis. I really do get them out a lot and flip through the pages for inspiration. But I really only have a handful of them that I turn to regularly. Because they have the kind of recipes I love, and because I have had more than one really good recipe from that book. One of those books, which I’ve written about here before, is The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook by Mary Younkin. It really is a favorite – I haven’t had a single bad recipe from it yet.
So it’s no surprise that I was ecstatic when I found out that Mary was writing a second book. And even more excited when I got it in my hands. As I flipped through its pages, I knew I would love this book just as much as her first book.
The Weekday Lunches and Breakfasts Cookbook is filled with recipes that are along the same lines as the recipes from her first book – easy, fast and family friendly. But instead of focusing on dinner ideas, this book focuses on lunch and breakfast ideas. Which I absolutely love, because those are the two meals that I struggle with the most. Mainly because I’m always in a time crunch or I just don’t tend to feel as creative for those meals.
I have been on a total breakfast kick lately, so I decided to change things up a bit and make one of the lunch recipes. I had so many pieces of paper marking the recipes we wanted to make. After trying to narrow it down and failing, I called in my kids to make the final decision, and they settled on these Spicy Cajun Cheesesteak Sandwiches. Let me tell you a few things I loved about these sandwiches. First – that there are not very many ingredients at all. Six total – that’s it!! It’s amazing how much flavor you can get from 6 simple ingredients. Second – this sandwich recipe is fast. Especially if you can slice the steak quickly.
I’m completely sold on this recipe, and completely sold on this book! This book will become a regular at my house!
Ingredients
- Steak: The recipe calls for flank steak, but skirt steak can be used, as well. You just want to make sure you use a steak that is tender after a short cook time.
- Cajun Seasoning: I like to make my own cajun seasoning. But feel free to use store bought, as well.
- Oil: You want a neutral flavored oil. My favorite is avocado oil, but you could also use vegetable oil.
- Butter: This will add great flavor. I usually use unsalted butter, but salted butter would work just fine.
- Rolls: You want a soft French sandwich roll. You want it sturdy enough to hold up to the meat, but I like some softness, too.
- Cheese: The recipe calls for pepper jack, but any melting cheese will work. If you don’t want the extra spice, I would suggest provolone.
How to Make Spicy Cajun Cheesesteak Sandwiches
STEP 1: Slice the steak into thin slices, and season with the Cajun seasoning. Make sure the pieces of steak are covered with the spices.
STEP 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and add half of the steak pieces. Cook for a minute, then flip and cook the second side. Make sure they are all browned, but you still want the steak to be juicy. Remove from the pan, and add the remaining oil and steak and repeat.
STEP 3: Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt, then pour it over the steak pieces.
STEP 4: Place the rolls on a baking sheet and divided the meat between the 4 rolls. Top with the cheese, then place under the broiler until the cheese is melted.
Tips and Tricks
I love the simplicity of this recipe, but we have also made them with a bit of mayo and horseradish on the buns. It’s a delicious option!
If you are worried about the spice level for kids, you can cook up part of the steak without the cajun seasoning.
This recipe is easy to double, but you want to make sure and cook the steak in batches. If you add too much steak to the pan at a time, the meat will steam instead of getting nice and browned.
Want more sandwich recipes that are easy enough for lunch?
Mini Hot Brown Sliders
Roast Beef Panini
Shrimp Po Boy with Pineapple Slaw
Chicken Pesto Wraps
BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad Sandwiches
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Spicy Cajun Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak (skirt steak can also be used)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 2 teaspoons light flavored olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 French sandwich rolls
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Instructions
- Place an oven rack 6 inches from the top of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Slice the steak thinly against the grain. Place the steak in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning. Stir to coat the steak pieces with the seasoning.1 lb flank steak, 1 1/2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- Heat a heavy stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 teaspoon of the oil. Swirl to coat the pan. Add half of the meat slices and arrange so that they are in a single layer in the pan. Cook for 1 minute, then flip them over and cook for an additional minute. If there is a piece that is not browned, let it cook for an additional 20 to 30 seconds. (You want each piece to be browned, but still juicy in the center.)2 teaspoons light flavored olive oil
- Use a spatula or tongs to remove the beef from the skillet to a plate and repeat with the second half of the oil and the meat.
- When the meat has finished cooking, add the butter to the skillet. While the butter melts, scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Drizzle the butter and juices over the steak bites on the plate.1 tablespoon butter
- Arrange the sandwich rolls cut side up on a baking sheet. Divide the steak onto the bottom halves of the rolls. Sprinkle the cheese over the steak. Place in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and gooey and the rolls are toasted, usually 3 to 4 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly.4 French sandwich rolls, 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- Place the tops of the rolls on the sandwiches and serve.
Karly says
Looks delicious!
Mary says
I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the sandwiches! Your photos have me wanting to make them again. Thanks for your sweet words about the new cookbook. I’m so happy that you like it!