Cheesy Sloppy Joe Dip
Cheesy Sloppy Joe Dip takes everything you love about a classic sloppy joe and turns it into a hot and melty appetizer with tons of cheese! This ground beef dip assembles in one skillet, finishes under the broiler, and disappears fast whether you’re serving it for game day, holidays, or family movie night. Try my Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe if you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal!
Get the Scoop!
- Big Sloppy Joe Flavor: You get that sweet, savory, beefy flavor without the bun.
- Easy to Make: One skillet, simple ingredients, and minimal prep make this the perfect party dip.
- Super Cheesy: The combination of Velveeta and cheddar creates a smooth, dippable texture that stays melty and delicious.
Sloppy Joe sandwiches are easy to make and even more fun to eat. I mean, don’t you scoop up the leftover beef on your plate whenever it falls behind? So, let’s turn those little crumbles into a cheesy dip!
Sloppy Joe Dip is laid back, a little messy, and always gone quicker than expected, which is how you know it’s a keeper. 😀 It’s one of those recipes that starts bubbling on the stove and makes everyone ask what smells so good. If I’m making it for a party, I have to fight off the fam to keep it from being gone before I get there!
For similar hot dips, try my Chili Cream Cheese Dip with a hearty topping of cheddar, and this Slow Cooker Rotel Dip that’s a party favorite. You also need to dig into this Texas Trash Dip, but don’t be fooled by its name!
Key Ingredients
Below are some key ingredients with helpful notes. For a complete list of ingredients plus quantities, view the printable recipe card.
- Lean ground beef: Using lean beef keeps the dip rich without being greasy.
- Sweet onion: Dice it small so it melts into the dip.
- Green bell pepper: Red or yellow peppers work too.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds bold flavor and aroma.
- Brown sugar: Just enough to give that signature sloppy joe sweetness.
- Ketchup: Choose a good quality ketchup for the best flavor.
- Yellow mustard: Adds tang and contrast to the sweetness.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth and umami flavor.
- Velveeta cheese: The secret to a smooth, creamy dip that doesn’t break or get greasy.
- Shredded cheddar: Adds sharp cheesy flavor and creates a bubbly melted top.
Easy Instructions
- Cook the ground beef, sweet onion, and green bell pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is browned and the veggies are soft. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, minced garlic, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Cook for one minute until mixed well.
- Add the ketchup, yellow mustard, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the Velveeta cubes and ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Preheat the broiler. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the dip and transfer the skillet to the oven. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Favorite Dippers
Bagel chips, tortilla chips, pretzel bites, toasted baguette slices, Fritos scoops, or even thick cut potato chips are great dippers. It also pairs well with crunchy veggies like celery sticks, sweet peppers and carrots.
Variations
- Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter sloppy joe dip.
- Use cream cheese instead of Velveeta for a thicker, tangier texture.
- Add diced jalapeños or extra red pepper flakes for a spicy sloppy joe dip.
- Swap cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend.
Helpful Tips
- Drain the beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease.
- Melt the cheese over low heat and stir constantly for the smoothest texture.
- If the dip is too thin, simmer longer before adding cheese. If too thick, add a splash of beef broth and stir until smooth.
Recipe FAQ
Velveeta melts smoothly and keeps the dip creamy while cheddar adds bold cheese flavor. Using both creates the best texture and taste.
You can, but the dip may be thicker and less smooth as it cools. It will also separate and become more greasy without the Velveeta.
Absolutely! Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave and add the cheese topping just before serving.
Storage Guide
Store leftover Cheesy Sloppy Joe Dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slowly on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring often.
To freeze, cool completely and store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture may change slightly, but the flavor will remain rich and delicious.
Cheesy Sloppy Joe Dip
*See notes in post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- large skillet
- spatula or wooden spoon
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup sweet onion - diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper - diced
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water - for the slurry
- 4 ounces Velveeta cheese - cubed
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese - divided
- green onion - sliced for garnish
- bagel chips - for serving
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef, sweet onion, and green bell pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is browned and the veggies are soft. Drain off any excess grease.1 ½ pounds lean ground beef,½ cup sweet onion,½ cup green bell pepper
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, minced garlic, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Cook for one minute until mixed well.1 ½ teaspoon salt,1 teaspoon black pepper,2 garlic cloves,2 tablespoons brown sugar,½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Add the ketchup, yellow mustard, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.1 cup ketchup,1 tablespoon yellow mustard,¾ cup beef broth,1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- Reduce heat to low. Add the Velveeta cubes and ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until fully melted and smooth.4 ounces Velveeta cheese,1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Preheat the broiler. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the dip and transfer the skillet to the oven. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven, garnish with sliced green onion, and serve hot with bagel chips.green onion,bagel chips
Notes
- To prevent your dip from being greasy, make sure you thoroughly drain the fat from the ground beef after browning it. Using lean ground beef will also help minimize excess grease from the start.
- To make sure the Velveeta melts without clumping, cut it into small, uniform cubes and add it to the dip over low heat. Stir constantly until it’s fully incorporated.
- If your dip is thinner than you’d like, you can let it simmer for a few extra minutes before adding the cheese to allow more liquid to evaporate. If it’s too thick, stir in an extra splash of beef broth until you reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition
*Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
