I’m feeling conflicted today.
This recipe feels strange at first—ground beef, cheese, and a slow cooker—but once it’s assembled and piled onto a buttered roll, it becomes unexpectedly perfect.
It really was that good.
And it’s unbelievably easy. Minimal hands-on time and maximum comfort—exactly the kind of meal I love to make when I want something cozy without fuss.
I might be a little dull today—maybe because I had an eventful weekend. For me, an “event” can be as tame as listening to the John Tesh radio show, but hey, I was entertained and well fed.
At least I’m full.
The key for me was the buttery, toasted buns. I prefer thick, hearty wheat buns, but they were gone at my store by morning—maybe someone else knows how good these are too. I used whatever I could find, buttered the tops, and toasted them until golden. That little extra step turns this into the best winter sandwich: warm, cheesy beef piled on crisp, buttery bread.
Despite the photos not being glamorous, the flavor more than makes up for it. It’s simple, satisfying, and a little bit indulgent. I might have mentioned that already, but it’s worth repeating.
Crockpot Cheeseburgers
6
to 8
15
4
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Ingredients
- 3 pounds 93% lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 tablespoons mustard
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into cubes + more for topping
- buns, lettuce, tomato and any other burger toppings you may want!
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Cook the diced onion for 2–3 minutes until softened, then add the minced garlic. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper, and cook just until browned, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker and stir in the milk, ketchup, and mustard. Add the cubed cheddar and mix so the cheese is distributed throughout. Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so to prevent the edges from sticking.
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Serve the cheesy beef on buttered, toasted buns with extra cheese and your favorite toppings.
Notes
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P.S. Don’t be shy—add extra cheese. It only makes things better.