Crockpot Cheeseburgers Recipe (Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes)

Name: Crockpot Cheeseburgers (Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 130 min
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)

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!

side view of crockpot cheeseburgers on a round wooden cutting board.

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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!

a hand holding a cheeseburger sloppy joe sideways to show the filling.

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.

close up side view of a cheeseburger sloppy joe on a round wooden cutting board.

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

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.

velveeta chunks and bacon added to hamburger meat in a crockpot.

Cook the Filling: Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

cheeseburger sloppy joe meat in a crockpot.

Assemble the Burgers: When ready to serve, fill 6 hamburger buns with the beef mixture and top with desired garnishes.

cheese, tomatoes, and pickles on top of crockpot cheeseburger meat on a hamburger bun.

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of Velveeta?

Yes, you can experiment with different types of cheese. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even blue cheese would work well in this recipe.

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop instead of using a crockpot?

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.

Can I add vegetables to this recipe?

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.

More Burger Recipes To Try

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Amy

Posted on 4/11/2016

Made these this weekend, yummy! After I ate the first one I decided the mixture needed a touch of sweetness so I squirted about a third of a cup of ketchup into it and stirred it in . Next time I’d add that at the beginning so it could cook in with the rest.