Cheesy Roast Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches

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Cheesy roast beef and cheddar sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food classic—rich, savory, dripping with melted cheese, and packed with that nostalgic, deli-style flavor. Whether you are aiming to recreate a classic Arby’s-style melt at home or building a toasted gourmet version on crusty bread, this is a meal that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Here is a foolproof recipe for making hot, melty, restaurant-quality roast beef and cheddar sandwiches right in your own kitchen:

Ingredients

  • The Bread: 4 soft onion rolls, brioche buns, or hoagie rolls, lightly toasted.
  • The Meat: 1 lb high-quality deli roast beef (thinly sliced).
  • The Cheese: 8 slices of sharp cheddar cheese (or a rich cheddar sauce/queso if you want that classic fast-food melt).
  • The Spread & Sauce:
    • 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted).
    • 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 tsp onion powder.
    • Optional Homemade “Horsey” Sauce: $\frac{1}{2}$ cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp prepared horseradish, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Warm the Roast Beef: Place the thinly sliced roast beef in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of beef broth or water. Cover with a lid for 2–3 minutes just until the meat is heated through and tender (don’t overcook, or it will get tough!).
  2. Toast the Buns: Open your rolls and brush the cut sides with your melted butter mixed with the garlic and onion powder. Toast them under your oven’s broiler or in a skillet for 1–2 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Melt the Cheese: Pile a generous amount of the warm roast beef onto the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Lay two slices of sharp cheddar cheese directly over the hot meat (the heat from the beef will give the cheese a head start on melting).
  4. Flash Broil: Place the open-faced sandwiches on a baking sheet and pop them under the oven broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheddar is bubbling and melted.
  5. Add the Sauce & Serve: Slather your homemade horseradish sauce (or your favorite BBQ sauce) onto the top bun, place it on top of the cheesy beef, and press down gently. Serve immediately while hot and gooey!
Pro Tip: If you want a truly decadent, glossy cheddar sauce instead of sliced cheese, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan, stir in 2 tablespoons of flour, whisk in $\frac{1}{2}$ cup of milk until thick, and melt a heaping cup of shredded sharp cheddar right into it!
Are you putting these together for a quick, cozy weekend lunch, or feeding a hungry crowd?

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