I’m excited to share this Crockpot Cheeseburgers recipe with you—an easy, hands-off meal that delivers the comfort of a juicy cheeseburger without the grill or stovetop hassle.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I love how effortless this recipe is. I simply combine ground beef, onions, garlic powder, and salt in the slow cooker, and by the end of the day, I have tender, flavorful meat ready to be dressed up. There’s something so cozy about pulling apart that slow-cooked beef and letting the cheese melt into every bite—I love savoring every moment.
Ingredients
(Main Ingredients:)
2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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I start by crumbling the 2 pounds of ground beef into the crockpot.
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Next, I add the finely chopped small onion, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt.
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I stir everything together gently to distribute the seasonings.
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I cover the crockpot and set it to cook—typically on low for about 4–5 hours, or on high for 2–3 hours, until the beef is fully cooked and tender.
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Once it’s done, I drain any excess fat if needed. I then stir in cheese—I like to use about 1 to 2 cups of shredded cheddar or American—until it melts into the beef.
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I scoop the cheesy mixture onto hamburger buns or serve it over rice, baked potatoes, or even pasta. I might top it with pickles, extra onions, or a drizzle of ketchup or mustard if I’m feeling nostalgic.
Servings and timing
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Servings: I usually get about 6 servings from this recipe.
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Timing:
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Prep time: 10–15 minutes to chop the onion and assemble ingredients.
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Cook time: ~4–5 hours on low or 2–3 hours on high.
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Variations
I enjoy playing around with this recipe—here are a few of my favorite twists:
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Cheesy beef-mac twist: I stir in cooked macaroni during the last 30 minutes and melt the cheese throughout for a cheeseburger mac.
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Tex-Mex style: I add a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, a teaspoon of chili powder, and top with pepper jack cheese and fresh cilantro.
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Mushroom-Swiss version: I fold in sliced mushrooms during the last hour and melt Swiss cheese over the top before serving.
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BBQ burger mash: I mix in a few tablespoons of barbecue sauce before cooking and top with smoked gouda and crispy onions at the end.
storage/reheating
I let any leftovers cool completely and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, I spoon a portion into a microwave-safe dish and warm it in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until it’s hot and the cheese is melty again. Alternatively, I heat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk if it seems dry.
FAQs
1. How can I make this healthier?
I can swap out ground beef for lean ground turkey or chicken, or even use a plant-based ground “meat” alternative. I also reduce the salt slightly and add chopped bell peppers or spinach to boost the veggie content.
2. What kind of cheese melts best?
I prefer American cheese or shredded cheddar because they melt smoothly and have that nostalgic cheeseburger flavor. But I also love using Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or Swiss depending on my mood.
3. Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Absolutely—I can assemble everything in a slow-cooker liner the night before and keep it refrigerated. In the morning, I just pop it in the crockpot and cook as directed.
4. What should I serve this with?
I often pile it into burger buns, but it’s also great over fries, rice, baked potatoes, or even spooned over a salad for a deconstructed burger bowl. It’s really flexible.
5. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, I let the leftovers cool, then portion them into freezer-safe containers or bags. I freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, I thaw overnight in the fridge and then heat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Conclusion
I love how this Crockpot Cheeseburgers recipe lets me enjoy the comfort of a cheeseburger with practically no fuss. From assembly to serving, it’s simple, delicious, and endlessly adaptable. Whether I’m feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for the week, this slow-cooked cheesy treat is always a winner. I hope I enjoy making it just as much as I do eating it!
Crockpot Cheeseburgers
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These Crockpot Cheeseburgers are a lazy, flavorful twist on classic burgers—ground beef slowly cooked with simple seasonings and melted cheese, ready to enjoy with buns, over rice, or your favorite sides with minimal effort.
- Author: Sophia
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–5 hours (low) or 2–3 hours (high)
- Total Time: Approximately 4–5 hours (low)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1–2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, American, or your choice)
- Optional toppings: pickles, extra onions, ketchup, mustard
Instructions
- Place ground beef, chopped onion, garlic powder, and salt into the crockpot; stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours until beef is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- If necessary, drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
- Serve hot—great on hamburger buns, over rice, baked potatoes, or pasta. Add optional toppings as desired.
Notes
- For a cheeseburger‑mac twist, add cooked macaroni in the final 30 minutes and stir in cheese.
- Tex‑Mex version: stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies and chili powder; top with pepper jack and cilantro.
- Mushroom‑Swiss variation: fold in sliced mushrooms during the last hour and top with Swiss cheese.
- BBQ mash‑up: add BBQ sauce before cooking, top with smoked gouda and crispy onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (cheeseburger mixture)
- Calories: Approximately 380 kcal
- Sugar: 0–1g
- Sodium: Depends on cheese and toppings
- Fat: ~25g
- Saturated Fat: ~10g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0–30g (depending on serving method)
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: ~24g
- Cholesterol: ~80mg