Home chefs and game-day hosts are transforming party spreads this season with a massive cheesesteak focaccia loaded with thinly sliced steak, melted American cheese, caramelized peppers and onions, and a zesty Calabrian chili aioli.

An Unconventional Game-Day Crowd-Pleaser

While this massive sandwich diverges from traditional Philadelphia standards, it brings together every beloved element under a single golden, bready crust. The oversized format allows hosts to serve a crowd effortlessly, letting guests cut custom-sized portions to fit their appetites during football watch parties or casual gatherings.

Selecting and Preparing the Meat

Securing the right cut of beef is essential for achieving the melt-in-your-mouth texture required for this dish. Thinly shaved or sliced steak can frequently be found in the fresh or frozen meat sections of well-stocked grocery stores. If pre-packaged options are not visible on shelves, shoppers can request custom thin cuts directly from the butcher counter.

How to Slice Steak Perfectly at Home

When pre-sliced options are entirely unavailable, home cooks can easily prepare the meat themselves using a boneless rib eye or skirt steak. Placing the raw beef in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes firms up the protein, keeping it stable and preventing it from sliding around on the cutting board. This step makes it simple to achieve paper-thin slices using a sharp knife.