Crockpot Cheeseburgers are an easy way to make a family favorite. They’re creamy, cheesy, and delicious. These Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes will wow everyone with their flavor!
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What’s in Bacon Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes?
These babies are filled with cheese, ground beef, and bacon, then topped off like a regular burger. So good! You’ll definitely be getting messy with these guys, but isn’t that the point of sloppy joes?
- Ground Beef: We like to use lean ground beef (85-90%) to keep these sloppy joes from becoming too greasy. Don’t forget to drain off any excess grease, though!
- Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor.
- Velveeta: Makes these sandwiches cheesy, creamy, and perfectly sloppy!
- Onion: Adds a classic earthy and sweet flavor.
- Bacon Crumbles: The perfect addition to give these sandwiches that bacon cheeseburger flavor.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhance the flavor of these sloppy joes.
- Hamburger Buns: The perfect vessel for both sloppy joes and cheeseburgers. It’s a no-brainer!
- Toppings: Add some lettuce, tomato, sliced cheese, and pickles for that classic cheeseburger taste!
Variations on Crockpot Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes
A classic cheeseburger is a classic for a reason, but you can also dress up this crockpot ground beef recipe like you would any cheeseburger. Try some of these suggestions:
- Use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Add your favorite BBQ sauce to the recipe and top with cheddar cheese and frizzled onions.
- Add roasted mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and Worcestershire sauce to the recipe and serve on a pretzel bun topped with caramelized onions.
- Use half ground beef and half breakfast sausage, and top with a fried egg, cheddar cheese, and avocado slices for a breakfast version!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot cheeseburger meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until hot or on the stovetop until the cheese has melted and the meat is warmed through. Assemble just before serving.
How to Freeze
Freeze crockpot cheeseburger meat in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
We love to serve these cheeseburger sloppy joes with classic french fries or indulge in some loaded bacon cheese fries. For a healthier side, serve up some coleslaw or a garden salad. Top your crockpot cheeseburgers with a dab of our favorite burger sauce to really take them to the next level!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
I alsmost always add a slice of cheddar, American, or Swiss cheese to these sandwiches and watch it melt into perfection!
5-Star Review
“My family loved this recipe!” -Cheryl
Crockpot Cheeseburgers (Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 ounces Velveeta cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 cup cooked bacon crumbles
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 6 hamburger buns
- Optional Toppings: lettuce, tomato, sliced cheese, and pickles
Instructions
- Cook beef and garlic over medium-high heat in a 12-inch skillet, approximately 8-10 minutes. It will continue to cook in the crockpot, so it's okay to cook it medium/medium well instead of all the way well done. Crumble the beef while you cook to your liking. Drain the skillet of the oil.1½ pounds lean ground beef, 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Add the cooked beef to a nonstick sprayed crockpot. Add in the cubed cheese, onion, bacon crumbles, and salt and pepper. Stir to combine as much as possible.8 ounces Velveeta, ½ cup diced onion, 1 cup cooked bacon crumbles, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- When ready to serve, fill buns with the beef mixture and top with desired garnishes.6 hamburger buns, Optional Toppings:
Video
Becky’s Tips
- Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Crockpot Cheeseburgers Step by Step
Cook the Beef: Cook 1½ pounds of lean ground beef and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic over medium-high heat in a 12-inch skillet, approximately 8-10 minutes. It will continue to cook in the crockpot, so it’s okay to cook it medium/medium well instead of all the way well done. Crumble the beef while you cook to your liking. Drain the skillet of the oil.
Fill the Crockpot: Add the cooked beef to a nonstick sprayed crockpot. Add in 8 ounces of cubed Velveeta cheese, ½ cup of diced onion, 1 cup of cooked bacon crumbles, and salt and pepper. Stir to combine as much as possible.
Cook the Filling: Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Assemble the Burgers: When ready to serve, fill 6 hamburger buns with the beef mixture and top with desired garnishes.
Yes, you can experiment with different types of cheese. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even blue cheese would work well in this recipe.
Yes, you can cook the beef mixture in a skillet on the stovetop instead of a crockpot. Just cook the beef until it’s fully cooked and then add the cheese, onion, bacon crumbles, salt, and pepper. Cook until the cheese is melted and the mixture is heated through.
Yes, you can add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or other vegetables to the beef mixture for extra flavor and nutrition. Just sauté the vegetables in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot.
Thank you for the recipe. My kids believe it or not are not a fan of sloppy Joe’s. Everyone loved this recipe . I will definitely make again.
Thank you
I love this idea im going to try this but add ketchup and brown sugar instead of bbq. My fiance cant do pepper/peppers of any kind so this our subsitute lol.
Let us know how it goes!
I made this for my family and we loved it! I added some finely cut bell peppers to the mix which gave it a burst of flavor. We determined as good as this was as a sloppy joe, it would be amazing as a dip for game days! Highly recommend!
Ooh, we love the dip idea!
Why Velveeta? Can’t you just use real cheese?
If you don’t like velveeta, use the cheese of your preference!
Sooo looking forward to this! I’m making it for crook pot friends at work!
You will be the best coworker after! Thanks for stopping by, James!
Thank you so much for this recipe! It was a hit for my family! I think it would be great for parties too!????Delicious!
Thanks, Laura!
my family loved this recipe
Thanks, Cheryl!
Just came across this recipe and it looks delicious! Definitely going to attempt this. What can I substitute the Velveeta for as it isn’t available in the UK? Thanks
I am planning on making this myself, and I am not a fan of Velveeta, so I am going to use Kraft singles American processed cheese. Any processed cheese will melt really well and not separate.
What an awesome idea. I would be a huge hero if I made this for my kids.
This recipe looks and sounds delicious!