These Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches are warm, cheesy, savory, and incredibly easy to make. Thinly sliced roast beef is gently warmed in beef broth or au jus, piled onto soft onion buns, and topped with a generous spoonful of creamy cheddar cheese sauce.
This is a quick family dinner that gives you all the comfort of a hot roast beef sandwich without spending hours cooking a roast. With deli roast beef and prepared cheese sauce, the whole meal can be ready in about 20 minutes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
The combination of tender roast beef, rich cheddar sauce, and flavorful onion buns makes these sandwiches simple but satisfying. Warming the beef in broth keeps it moist and gives it extra savory flavor instead of letting it dry out in a skillet.
You can keep the sandwiches classic or add caramelized onions, horseradish sauce, barbecue sauce, pickles, or extra cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 onion buns
- 1 pound thinly sliced deli roast beef
- 1 cup cheddar cheese sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth or prepared au jus
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Optional Toppings
- Caramelized onions
- Horseradish sauce
- Barbecue sauce
- Pickles
- Sliced jalapeños
- Extra cheddar cheese
Ingredient Notes
Roast beef: Thinly sliced deli roast beef makes this recipe especially quick. Medium or medium-rare deli beef works well because it stays tender when gently reheated.
Cheddar sauce: Use your favorite prepared cheddar cheese sauce or make a simple homemade version with butter, milk, cheddar, and a little flour.
Beef broth or au jus: This adds moisture and savory flavor to the roast beef. Low-sodium broth is useful if your deli meat is already well seasoned.
Onion buns: Soft onion rolls add extra flavor, but brioche buns, sandwich rolls, or toasted hoagie rolls can also be used.
How to Make Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches
- Preheat the oven to 350°F if you plan to toast the buns.
- Split the onion buns and spread the cut sides lightly with softened butter.
- Place them cut-side up on a baking sheet.
- Toast for about five minutes, just until warm and lightly golden.
- Meanwhile, pour the beef broth or au jus into a large skillet.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Add the sliced roast beef in loose folds rather than one compact pile.
- Turn the beef gently in the broth for about two to three minutes, just until heated through.
- Avoid boiling the meat aggressively, which can make thin roast beef tough.
- Warm the cheddar cheese sauce in a small saucepan over low heat or according to package directions.
- Place a generous portion of warm roast beef onto the bottom half of each onion bun.
- Spoon cheddar cheese sauce over the beef.
- Add any optional toppings.
- Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.
The Secret to Tender Roast Beef
The roast beef is already cooked, so it only needs reheating. A gentle simmer in beef broth warms it evenly while keeping the slices juicy.
Do not let the broth reach a hard boil and do not leave the beef cooking for 10 or 15 minutes. Thin deli slices can become dry and chewy surprisingly quickly.
How to Make the Sandwiches Extra Saucy
Reserve some of the warm au jus after removing the beef and serve it in small bowls alongside the sandwiches for dipping.
You can also drizzle a tablespoon of au jus directly onto the roast beef before adding the cheddar sauce. Just avoid adding too much or the bun may become soggy.
Quick Homemade Cheddar Sauce
If you do not have prepared cheese sauce, melt two tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in two tablespoons of flour and cook for about one minute.
Gradually whisk in one cup of milk and simmer gently until slightly thickened. Reduce the heat to low and stir in about one and a half cups of freshly shredded cheddar until smooth.
Season with a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Keep the heat low once the cheese is added so the sauce stays creamy.
Easy Variations
For barbecue beef and cheddar sandwiches, spread barbecue sauce over the bun before adding the roast beef.
For French dip-style sandwiches, skip some of the cheddar and serve each sandwich with a larger bowl of warm au jus.
For spicy beef and cheddar, add sliced jalapeños and a drizzle of spicy mayonnaise.
For caramelized onion sandwiches, cook thinly sliced onions slowly in butter until golden and sweet, then pile them over the cheddar sauce.
What to Serve with Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches
French fries, potato wedges, onion rings, tater tots, or potato chips are classic choices.
For a lighter side, serve the sandwiches with coleslaw, cucumber salad, roasted vegetables, green beans, or a simple garden salad.
Pickles are also especially good because their acidity cuts through the rich cheddar sauce and beef.
Make-Ahead Tips
The seasoned broth can be prepared ahead and refrigerated. The cheddar sauce can also be made earlier in the day and gently reheated before serving.
For the best texture, warm the roast beef and assemble the sandwiches immediately before eating rather than storing them already assembled.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover roast beef, cheddar sauce, and buns separately. Refrigerate the beef and cheese sauce in airtight containers for up to three to four days.
Reheat the roast beef gently in a small amount of broth until steaming hot. Warm the cheese sauce over low heat, adding a splash of milk if it becomes too thick.
Toast fresh buns and assemble the sandwiches only after everything is heated.
Printable Recipe Card
Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Quick Instructions
- Toast buttered onion buns if desired.
- Warm beef broth with Worcestershire sauce and seasonings.
- Add sliced roast beef and heat gently for two to three minutes.
- Warm the cheddar cheese sauce.
- Pile roast beef onto each bun.
- Spoon cheddar sauce generously over the beef.
- Add optional toppings and serve with au jus for dipping.
Final Thoughts
These Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches turn simple deli roast beef, onion buns, cheddar sauce, and au jus into a hot, comforting meal in about 20 minutes.
Keep the roast beef tender by warming it gently, toast the buns for better texture, and do not be shy with the creamy cheddar sauce for a sandwich that is perfect for quick lunches or easy family dinners.