Slow Cooker Cheesy Beef & Pepper Dip

Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—perfect as a dip for chips or veggies, or served over rice, pasta, or bread.

📝 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 medium tomato, diced (or ½ cup canned)
1 small onion, finely diced (optional)
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup milk or heavy cream
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chili powder (optional)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional: sliced jalapeños for spice
Optional garnish: chopped green onions or fresh parsley

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Cook the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with garlic and onion until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add Veggies
Stir in diced bell peppers, tomatoes, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
Transfer to Slow Cooker
Place beef and veggies in a 3–4 quart slow cooker. Add cubed cream cheese.
Cook & Melt
Cover and cook on low for 2 hours (or high for 1 hour) until cream cheese melts.
Stir in Cheddar & Milk
Add shredded cheddar and milk, stir until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning.
Serve
Hot, straight from the crockpot! Perfect with tortilla chips, bread, or over rice/pasta.
Garnish with green onions or parsley.

🌟 Pro Tips

For extra kick, add 1 tsp hot sauce or diced jalapeños.
Swap cheddar for pepper jack for a spicier version.
Can be made on stovetop: simmer beef + veggies, then stir in cheeses and milk until smooth.
Best served fresh, but leftovers can be reheated gently.

🧮 Nutrition (Approx. Per Serving, 1 cup)

Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 20 g
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Sodium: 540 mg

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Make the beef and veggie base, refrigerate, then add cheeses and reheat before serving.

Q: Can I use ground turkey or chicken?
Absolutely. Use the same method, adjusting cooking time until fully cooked.

Q: Can I freeze this?
Yes, but cheese texture may change slightly. Freeze before adding cheddar; add it fresh when reheating.

Q: Is it spicy?
Mild by default. Add chili powder, hot sauce, or jalapeños to increase heat.

Q: Can I make it in an oven or stovetop?
Yes! Combine ingredients in a casserole dish, cover with foil, bake 350°F / 175°C for 25–30 minutes, then stir in cheese.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.