• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Easy Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe

Easy Cheesy Vegetarian

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easy Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easy Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian Sandwiches

    Jun 24, 2021 by Becca Heyes · This post may contain affiliate links · 21 Comments

    Tex-Mex Vegetarian Cheesesteak Sandwiches

    523 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Total time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    4.93 from 14 votes
    Jump to Recipe Rate this Recipe

    A twist on a classic American recipe, with plenty of veg and gooey melted cheese, these Tex-Mex vegetarian cheesesteak sandwiches are the perfect easy hot lunch!

    A vegetarian cheesesteak sandwich topped with avocado.

    I love making vegetarian versions of otherwise meaty dishes. Just because we vegetarians don't eat meat, we can still enjoy all sorts of delicious foods. These vegetarian cheesesteaks are a great example - and not only did I make my version vegetarian, I also added a Tex-Mex twist (since I can't resist anything Mexican-inspired!).

    A vegetarian cheesesteak sandwich topped with melted cheese and avocado.

    What's a cheesesteak sandwich?

    If you've never heard of a cheesesteak, it's an American dish (specifically from Philadelphia) that usually involves meat and veggies smothered in melted cheese, and served in a roll.

    These are definitely not authentic cheesesteaks. My vegetarian cheesesteak sandwiches are actually two steps removed from the usual recipe, because not only did I make them veggie, I also used spicy Mexican cheese to give them a Tex-Mex vibe.

    If you're from Philadelphia, please don't hate me for changing your beloved sandwich so much. Take it as a compliment - I'm now convinced that all sandwiches are improved by a layer of gooey melted cheese (not that it required much convincing).

    Sautéed vegetables topped with melted cheese in a frying pan.

    How to make vegetarian cheesesteaks

    These vegetarian cheesesteak sandwiches only take about 20 minutes to make, and they're well worth the (minimal!) effort.

    Start with some onions, mushrooms and peppers, cut into thick, meaty strips. Cook them off in a pan, then melt that beautiful spicy cheese over the top.

    You could add some vegetarian 'steak' strips too, if you like. I generally prefer vegetable-based meals, rather than using lots of meat replacements, but either way works great.

    Then, just scoop the whole lot up into your favourite kind of roll - I used a crusty baguette.

    Vegetarian cheesesteak sandwiches topped with avocado and melted cheese.

    Tex-Mex cheesesteaks

    I adore anything Tex-Mex, so I used some smoky spices to give these vegetarian cheesesteaks a bit of a twist. I also used some Mexican cheese for a bit of extra spice.

    (well, I say Mexican cheese... I'm sure it's not actually Mexican, but it's called Mexicana, so I guess that's what they're going for)

    The cheese I used is pretty spicy, so I mellowed it a little with some gouda as well. It's the best of both worlds - creamy gooeyness from the gouda, and sharp spiciness from the Mexicana.

    Feel free to use whatever combination of cheeses you like to get to your preferred level of heat - you can switch up the spices on the vegetables too. And don't forget some fresh avocado and a dollop of sour cream on top to help cool everything off again!

    Gooey cheese, spicy vegetables, crusty bread - these Tex-Mex vegetarian cheesesteak sandwiches are the ultimate easy lunch.

    Vegetarian cheesesteaks with a Tex-Mex twist.

    Tex-Mex vegetarian cheesesteak sandwiches

    A twist on a classic American recipe, with plenty of veg and gooey melted cheese, these Tex-Mex vegetarian cheesesteak sandwiches are the perfect easy hot lunch!

    If you've cooked this recipe, don't forget to leave a star rating!

    4.93 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Comment
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 530kcal
    Author: Becca Heyes
    (prevents your screen from going dark)

    Ingredients

    • 2 individual baguettes or submarine rolls
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 1 onion, thickly sliced
    • 1 bell pepper, thickly sliced (I used red)
    • ~ 6 medium mushrooms, thickly sliced
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 2 slices spicy cheese
    • 2 slices gouda cheese (or other mild cheese)
    • To serve: fresh avocado, sour cream (optional)

    Instructions

    • First, prepare the rolls if necessary. I used part-baked baguettes so I cooked them in the oven until crusty. You can also use soft submarine rolls, if you prefer. Slice them lengthwise.
    • Heat a dash of oil in a frying pan, and add the sliced onion, pepper and mushrooms. Cook over a medium heat for around 10 minutes, until very soft. Add the cumin and paprika, and mix well.
    • Divide the vegetables into two halves in the pan, making the piles vaguely the same shape as your rolls (i.e. two long, thin piles of veggies). Top each pile of vegetables with a slice of spicy cheese and a slice of mild cheese. Turn the heat down to low, and cover the pan with a lid. Cook for another couple of minutes until the cheese has melted.
    • Scoop each pile of vegetables into one of the rolls, and serve with fresh avocado and sour cream if desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 sandwich - Calories: 530 kcal - Carbohydrates: 54.1 g - Protein: 25.3 g - Fat: 25.3 g - Saturated Fat: 11.9 g - Cholesterol: 62 mg - Sodium: 861 mg - Potassium: 442 mg - Fiber: 5 g - Sugar: 9 g - Calcium: 527 mg - Iron: 6 mg

    Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @EasyCheesyVeg or tag #EasyCheesyVegetarian!

    Love vegetarian Tex-Mex recipes? Here are plenty more!

    More Vegetarian Sandwiches

    • 10 Minute Air Fryer Quesadillas
    • Perfect Welsh Rarebit
    • Egg in a Hole Breakfast Sandwiches
    • 41 Vegetarian Lunchbox Ideas
    523 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tiana yumofchina.com says

      October 29, 2017 at 10:41 pm

      This looks so simple, it must be very delicious. Where do you get the baguettes? Do you buy them or make them? Thanks for the great recipe5 stars

      Reply
      • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

        November 01, 2017 at 7:50 pm

        I usually buy part-baked baguettes that you finish cooking in the oven so they get super crusty :)

        Reply
    2. Lauren says

      October 26, 2017 at 12:05 pm

      A few days ago I had some leftover roasted veggies and a slice of Violife in a toastie. Not exactly the same I guess but it was *so good*!

      I have some leftover chilli so I'm tempted to try a (rather sloppy) version of this later on.5 stars

      Reply
      • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

        November 01, 2017 at 7:48 pm

        Ooh yes, chilli would be amazing in a crusty roll with some melted cheese on top!

        Reply
    3. Jemma says

      October 26, 2017 at 11:07 am

      Other than soup, I rarely have a hot lunch either so this would make a lovely change.

      Reply
    4. [email protected] says

      October 26, 2017 at 7:56 am

      I rarely make anything hot for myself for lunch either, but oh my, this sounds so good! You have rehabbed this iconic sandwich for vegetarians - genius!!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Ginny says

      October 25, 2017 at 1:49 pm

      Such a great idea using mushrooms for this sandwich. I must make!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Pretty says

      October 25, 2017 at 1:12 pm

      This sounds like my kind of sandwich! Love your veggie version and will be making it on Mexican night next week.5 stars

      Reply
    7. Felesha Bell says

      October 25, 2017 at 1:07 pm

      I bet you don't even miss the meat with all of that cheesy goodness! Yum!!5 stars

      Reply
    8. Jenni says

      October 25, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      This looks like a great meatless sandwich! Pretty much everything can be improved by adding a layer of melted cheese on top!5 stars

      Reply
    9. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says

      October 25, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      Philly-cheesteaks are a classic but I love the twists you've put on them! I also believe sandwiches are always made better with gooey cheese! Even more so if it's spicy cheese!5 stars

      Reply
    10. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says

      October 25, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      I've actually never had a cheesestake sandwich because I've been a vegetarian for so long so I can't wait to try this!5 stars

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Becca! I've been a vegetarian for 20+ years, and unlike most of my other childhood pursuits, I actually stuck with it! I love cooking vegetarian food that's full of flavour, but doesn't take a lot of effort to make.

    More about me →

    As Featured In

    Easy Recipes

    • Creamy coronation chickpeas on toast and lettuce.
      Coronation Chickpeas (Creamy Curried Chickpea Salad)
    • Baked mushroom tikka in a bowl with naan bread and salad.
      Easy Baked Mushroom Tikka
    • Mushroom stroganoff in a bowl with rice and parsley.
      Slow Cooker Mushroom Stroganoff
    • Bowl of tarka dal topped with fresh cilatro.
      Easy Tarka Dal (Vegan Red Lentil Curry)
    • A hand scooping creamy cowboy caviar with a tortilla chip.
      Creamy Cowboy Caviar (with Avocado Dressing)
    • Creamy Three Bean Stew
    • Quick Red Thai Curry Noodle Soup
    • Roasted Vegetable Enchilada Casserole

    Most Popular

    • A bowlful of rich mushroom bourguignon stew served over mashed potato.
      Mushroom Bourguignon
    • A serving bowl full of crispy roast potatoes.
      How to Make Perfect Roast Potatoes
    • Crispy fried halloumi in a frying pan.
      How to Cook Halloumi Perfectly
    • How To Fry Gnocchi (and why you should want to!)
    • How to Make a Perfect Baked Potato
    • Mexican Bean and Potato Bake
    • A creamy vegetable bake in a baking dish, with a scoop removed.
      Creamy Vegetable Bake
    • Very Veggie Lentil Bake

    Hi, I'm Becca! I've been a vegetarian for 20+ years, and unlike most of my other childhood pursuits, I actually stuck with it! I love cooking vegetarian food that's full of flavour, but doesn't take a lot of effort to make.

    More about me →

    As Featured In

    Easy Recipes

    • Baked Feta Mac and Cheese
    • Pizza Baked Tofu
    • Cheesy Eggplant Bake
    • Sheet Pan Halloumi Fajitas
    • 15 Minute Creamy Pasta Primavera
    • Veggie-Packed Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
    • Cheesy Slow Cooker Lentils
    • 20 Minute Vegetable Stroganoff

    Most Popular

    • A bowlful of rich mushroom bourguignon stew served over mashed potato.
      Mushroom Bourguignon
    • A serving bowl full of crispy roast potatoes.
      How to Make Perfect Roast Potatoes
    • Crispy fried halloumi in a frying pan.
      How to Cook Halloumi Perfectly
    • How To Fry Gnocchi (and why you should want to!)
    • How to Make a Perfect Baked Potato
    • Mexican Bean and Potato Bake
    • A creamy vegetable bake in a baking dish, with a scoop removed.
      Creamy Vegetable Bake
    • Very Veggie Lentil Bake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe for recipes by email

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Easy Cheesy Vegetarian

    523 shares