The Italian beef sandwich – a Chicago specialty of thinly sliced, seasoned roast beef dripping with juices and topped with melted cheese. It’s a mouthwatering favorite for good reason. But what type of cheese transforms this sandwich into cheesy perfection? There’s an art to choosing the right cheese for Italian beef.
Let’s melt down the options to determine what cheese gives you the ideal creaminess, flavor, and texture when paired with savory, tender Italian beef.
Provolone – The Traditional Favorite
If you want the authentic taste of a classic Chicago Italian beef sandwich, provolone cheese is the traditional choice This semi-soft cheese has a smooth, creamy texture and mild, slightly tangy flavor When layered over roast beef on a crusty bun, provolone becomes beautifully melted while adding a delicious creaminess.
Provolone has been the go-to Italian beef cheese for generations thanks to these winning qualities:
- Mild flavor – Doesn’t compete with the seasoned beef flavor
- Creamy texture – Provides lush softness when melted
- Slight tang – Cuts through the richness of the beef
- Melts smoothly – Blends into the other flavors
As provolone melts over the top of the sliced roast beef, it forms the quintessential cheese layer that defines this sandwich.
Experimenting with Other Cheese Choices
While provolone may be the first choice for traditionalists, some chefs and restaurants get creative by using different cheeses on their Italian beef sandwiches:
- Mozzarella – Excellent melting properties with a fresh, milky flavor
- Cheddar – A sharper flavor that adds a bold kick
- Swiss – The distinctive eyes and holes create an interesting melted texture
- Pepper Jack – Spicy kick complements the zesty giardiniera toppings
- Provolone-Mozzarella Blend – Combines the best of both worlds
The possibilities are endless when playing with different cheese flavors and textures to customize your perfect sandwich.
Omitting Cheese Entirely
For Italian beef purists the sandwich is all about the flavorful roast beef and spicy giardiniera toppings. The rich meat juices and peppers provide plenty of strong flavors, so some traditionalists actually opt to skip the cheese altogether. This allows the magnificent beef and toppings to take center stage.
Cheese Meltability and Placement Matters
To get that ideal melted cheese layer choose a cheese that melts smoothly. Soft cheeses like mozzarella, provolone, Havarti or Fontina work beautifully. Place slices or shredded cheese directly on top of the heated roast beef and sandwich toppings before closing the bun. The warmth will allow the cheese to gradually melt into gooey goodness with each bite.
If you want an extra velvety melt, toast the sandwich in the oven or broiler just until the cheese starts bubbling. But take care not to overcook.
Tips for Cheese and Italian Beef Pairings
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Lean toward milder cheeses so as not to compete with the robust seasoned beef.
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Soft, creamy cheeses provide luscious melted texture.
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Tangy cheeses like provolone or pepper jack cut through the richness.
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Shredded cheese distributes well, while slices give appealing melt patterns.
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For easy melting, look for cheeses like mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
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Experiment with cheese blends for a flavor fusion.
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Skip the cheese and let the beef shine if you prefer purist style.
To Cheese or Not to Cheese?
While provolone may have tradition on its side, the cheese choice ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. Whether you prefer classic provolone, kicked up cheddar, gooey mozzarella or no cheese at all, embrace the chance to customize your perfect Italian beef masterpiece.
Just be sure to use high-quality ingredients. Expertly roasted, juicy beef deserves a melted cheese partner that’s up to par. Every element should work in harmony to deliver mouthwatering flavors.
Now get out there and start crafting your Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich swathed in your ideal melted cheese. Oozing, beefy perfection awaits!
WHAT MEAT Is BEST FOR ITALIAN BEEF RECIPE?
Bottom round, top round, shoulder roast, and chuck roast are just a few of the cuts of beef that can be used for oven-baked Italian beef. Chuck roast without any bones, on the other hand, is the Mercedes of roasts and should be used in this recipe for the BEST Italian Beef Sandwiches.
Boneless Chuck roast has a melt-in-yourmouth texture and succulent, beefy flavor due to its rich marbling. The marbling “bastes” the meat itself as it breaks down and drips over it, so the beef is always tender.
A few notes about the beef in this ItalianBeef recipe:
- No need to worry too much about the weight of the 3 to 5 pounds of chuck roast that this recipe calls for. The seasonings and liquid are very forgiving.
- Beef chuck roast without bones that is thick cut and not rolled up and tied with string
- If your chuck roast is bigger, you might have to cut it in half to fit in the slow cooker. If so, be sure to sear all sides of each piece.
- I buy my chuck roast at Costco and freeze the other one. I use one roast for this Italian Beef Sandwich recipe. In this way, you can enjoy Italian beef RIGHT NOW and have it on hand for times to come.
Pepperoncini juice is an important part of this slow cooker Italian beef recipe; DO NOT SKIP IT! You may know pepperoncini if you have made my Mississippi Pot Roast, which also uses them. This recipe for an Italian beef sandwich calls for pepperoncini juice in the crockpot and pepperoncini on top.
Pepperoncini are type of mild, yellow-greenchili pepper that belong to the same family as bell peppers. Whenpickled, they deliver a tangy zing and their juices boast the same tangyzing. You don’t need to worry about the Italian Beef being too spicy, however,it will just be wonderfully flavorful.
Watch: How to make Italian Beef (Crock Pot recipe)
Cheddar Cheese on Italian Beef Sandwich!!! Does it belong?????
FAQ
Does Italian beef have cheese?
What is Italian beef dipped in?