This hot roast beef sandwich is the ultimate answer to your hunger pangs. Piled high with tender, juicy roast beef and melted cheese, this sandwich is a surefire hit for lunch or dinner. Whether you’re hosting a casual family meal or looking for a quick, satisfying bite, our easy-to-follow recipe guarantees a delicious, homemade roast beef sandwich that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Make it a meal by serving with a side of French fries, potato salad, onion rings, or a side salad!

Why You’ll Love This Roast Beef Sandwich
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and minimal ingredients make it a hassle-free meal.
- Delicious Flavor: Juicy roast beef and melted cheese create a mouthwatering combination.
- Quick Meal: Perfect for busy weeknights or a fast lunch.
- Family-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults alike.
This easy sandwich is almost like an Arby’s copycat. Super simple to make, with just three ingredients, and a go-to weeknight dinner idea. You can even prep them in advance and toss them into the oven when you’re ready to eat! We’ve made these over a dozen times and they are always a hit with the entire family.
Imagine biting into a roast beef sandwich that’s been lovingly wrapped in foil and heated to perfection. The cheese melts into the tender beef, creating a gooey, savory masterpiece. It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds – rich, satisfying, and irresistibly delicious. Each bite delivers a burst of flavors and textures, from the crispy edges of the toasted bread to the juicy roast beef and melty cheese. It’s comfort food at its finest, ready to make your day a whole lot tastier.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Opt for deli-style roast beef if you’re short on time, but for the best experience, roast your own beef to control the seasoning and ensure maximum freshness and flavor.
- Roast Beef: The best roast beef for a roast beef sandwich is typically thinly sliced, high-quality cuts such as: top sirloin, eye of round, or ribeye.
- Cheese: While testing this recipe we found like American cheese slices were a favorite, however you can always opt for the simple Kraft cheese singles.
- Rolls or bread: We like a soft hamburger bun.
- Sauce: Optional, but this is really really good if you add a spread of mayo or Arby’s sauce.
Variations:
Here are a few other lunch meat and cheese combos we have tried and LOVE:
- Ham and cheddar
- Turkey and herded cream cheese
- Roast beef and provolone or cheese whiz (no judging)
- Chicken and pepper jack
Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe
Another fun thing about this recipe is how quickly you can modify. We have added roasted peppers, pickles, onion, sauces… The options are endless.
- Slice the Rolls: If not already done, cut each roll in half horizontally.
- Add Mayonnaise (Optional): If using, spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each roll.
- Add Cheese: Place a slice of cheese or spread cheese whiz evenly on the top half of each roll.
- Layer the Roast Beef: Lay 3 to 4 slices of thinly cut roast beef (or your preferred meat) on top of the cheese.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Press the top half of the roll onto the bottom half, creating a complete sandwich.
- Wrap in Foil: Wrap each assembled sandwich tightly in aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate or Bake:
- Refrigerate: If not eating immediately, place the wrapped sandwiches in the refrigerator until you’re ready to heat and serve.
- Bake: When ready to eat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet.
- Heat the Sandwiches: Bake the wrapped sandwiches in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until they are thoroughly heated and the cheese is melted.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the sandwiches from the oven, unwrap, and enjoy immediately while they are hot and delicious.
Expert Recipe Tips:
- Thin Slices: Slice the roast beef as thinly as possible. This ensures it heats through quickly and evenly and makes the sandwich easier to eat.
- Quality Cheese: Opt for high-quality cheese that melts well, such as provolone, cheddar, or Swiss. For an extra flavor boost, consider a sharp cheese.
- Bread Choice: Choose sturdy rolls or buns that can hold up to the juicy beef and melted cheese. Ciabatta, hoagie rolls, or brioche buns work well.
- Toast the Rolls: Lightly toasting the rolls before assembling the sandwiches adds a delightful crunch and helps prevent them from getting soggy.
- Flavor Boosters: Add a thin layer of horseradish sauce, Dijon mustard, or aioli to the rolls for an extra kick of flavor.
- Caramelized Onions: For added sweetness and depth of flavor, top the roast beef with caramelized onions before adding the cheese.
- Season the Beef: Before assembling, sprinkle a little salt and pepper on the roast beef slices to enhance the taste.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Deli-sliced roast beef is a convenient and tasty alternative. Just make sure it’s thinly sliced for the best texture and flavor.
Provolone, cheddar, and Swiss cheese are all excellent choices. They melt well and complement the roast beef perfectly. Feel free to experiment with your favorite cheese!
To prevent sogginess, lightly toast the rolls before assembling the sandwich. You can also spread a thin layer of butter or mayonnaise on the bread to create a barrier against moisture.
Yes! You can assemble the sandwiches, wrap them in foil, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. This makes them a great option for meal prep or quick meals.
If the sandwiches have been refrigerated, you might need to add an extra 5 minutes to the baking time. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
More Quick Dinner Ideas
Still Hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Campfire Sandwich
Ingredients
- 12 rolls
- mayonnaise
- 1 lb good roast beef or any other lunch meat
- cheese of choice we like cheese whiz
Instructions
At home prep:
- Spread mayonnaise onto one side of your roll. Layer roast beef and cheese.Â
- Individually wrap each sandwich in tin foil and freeze.
At home cooking:
- Place your foil wrapped sandwiches in the oven at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, or until warmed through.
Camping Cooking:
- Toss your sandwiches onto warmed coals and cook until heated through
- (about 20 minutes)
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram @1sweetappetite and follow pinterest for more!
Related Recipes:
Like this recipe? You will love my:
- 30 Camping Tin Foil Dinners
- 45 Easy Camping Recipes
- Camping Dutch Oven Ham
- Italian Chicken Pita Sandwich
Reader Interactions
Find even more recipes!
Be sure to share it in the comments below and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram for even more delicious recipes.
Comments & Reviews
Lynda says
I seacrhed a bunch of sites and this was the best.
Aimee @like mother like daughter says
I dont know how I missed this before, but I love this idea! We usually are pretty traditional with camping, hotdogs or tin foil dinners, so I’m excited to try something new. But I also love the idea of just having these ready to go in the freezer for a quick grab and go meal!
Nancy Bobbert says
This is an excellent idea. So much quicker and easier than making burgers over the campfire. It will save a ton of packing space too!