CopycatSpices
Copycat Arby's Beef and Cheddar
Stack tender roast beef with creamy cheddar sauce on a toasted onion roll, just like Arby's beloved Beef 'n Cheddar sandwich.
copycat · arbys · fast-food · sandwich
🕑Prep10 min
🍳Cook15 min
⏱Total25 min
🍽Serves4
⭐DifficultyEasy
Ingredients
- 1 lb deli roast beef, thinly sliced
- 4 onion rolls or sesame seed buns
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 oz Velveeta or processed American cheese, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- 1.Make the cheddar sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens. Add the cubed Velveeta, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
- 2.Prepare the Red Ranch sauce. In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. This replicates Arby's signature Red Ranch sauce.
- 3.Warm the roast beef. Place the sliced roast beef in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water. Cover and steam for 2-3 minutes until warmed through and tender.
- 4.Toast the rolls. Split the onion rolls and toast them under the broiler or in a toaster oven until lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- 5.Assemble the sandwiches. Spread the Red Ranch sauce on the bottom of each roll. Pile the warm roast beef high, then drizzle generously with the cheddar cheese sauce. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately.
The Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar is a masterclass in simple comfort food — tender, thinly sliced roast beef piled high on a soft onion roll, drenched in warm cheddar cheese sauce and their signature tangy Red Ranch sauce. This copycat version is so close to the original that you might never hit the drive-through again.
Why This Recipe Works
Arby’s uses a processed cheese sauce for a reason — it melts perfectly smooth every single time. Velveeta or processed American cheese replicates this flawlessly at home. The secret Red Ranch sauce, which most people overlook, is actually a simple sweet-tangy ketchup-based sauce that ties the whole sandwich together.
Pro Tips
- Use deli-counter roast beef sliced as thin as possible for the most authentic texture.
- The cheddar sauce can be made ahead and reheated with a splash of milk to thin it out.
- For a closer match to the onion roll, brush regular buns with melted butter and sprinkle with dried onion flakes before toasting.
