Slow Cooker Hanky Panky
4 Comments Jul 05, 2022
Updated Oct 27, 2024
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This Hanky Panky recipe may sound a little naughty, but the taste is far from it. The combination of ground beef, hot sausage, Velveeta cheese, and a few seasonings keeps this old-fashioned classic going strong.
If you like the combination of beef and Velveeta, then you’ll also love our Slow Cooker Rotel Dip with Beef. Both of these dips are perfect for game day or a church potluck.
Table of Contents
Why This Hanky Panky Recipe Works
When you’re on the search for a combine-and-go appetizer, having a Hanky Panky appetizer doesn’t disappoint. It’s made with just a few ingredients, most of which you may already have on hand.
The fascinating thing about this recipe is it’s considered an oldie but goodie. In other words, this would be the recipe grandma would whip out when she’s having guests over and wanted to make sure they go their fill while visiting.
It’s also a quickie. In less than an hour and a half from prep time to the end of cook time, you’ll have a thick and savory dip (or spread) to serve your friends and family.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Beef: There are many types of ground beef you can choose from. For some recipes, it’s best to go with more lean meat with less fat; however, fat can help enhance flavor. In this case, it’s perfectly fine to go with an 80/20 mixture.
- Ground Sausage: I went with Jimmy Dean’s premium pork hot sausage. Also known as a breakfast sausage, this will add a slight kick to the dip, but nothing overpowering.
- Velveeta: This type of processed cheese melts into a smooth and creamy texture that sticks to the meat and soaks up the seasonings when slowly cooked.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a bit of flavor.
- Seasonings: Oregano, garlic powder, and caraway seeds are a great flavor combination to the overall recipe. (I add the caraway seeds into the dip to give it a pumpernickel or rye flavor.)
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Add the cooked and crumbled meat mixture to the slow cooker.
Step Two – Add Velveeta cheese cut into cubes on top of the meat.
Step Three – Sprinkle over the seasonings.
Step Four – Cook on HIGH for 1 hour or until hot and melted into a creamy cheese mixture. Stir occasionally. Garnish the top if preferred.
How to serve
- This recipe is usually spread on mini dark rye party bread (individually sized pumpernickel bread), which isn’t currently being made anymore. Instead, you can serve with brown bread slices (we use cheesecake factory brown bread), quartered pumpernickel bread, or sliced rye bread. Typically, any cocktail bread will do.
- Melba toast, thick crackers, or tortilla chips are other options for serving this spread.
- If you want to go less traditional, consider serving it as a sandwich filling, stuffed in flour tortillas, or as a topping for tortilla chips.
- Hanky Panky also makes a great loaded baked potato topping.
Recipe FAQs
Easily substitute the spicy sausage for a medium or milder pork sausage.
Add more spice by getting Mexican Velveeta or adding a dash of red pepper flakes just before serving.
Yes! Cook according to the directions, and once cooled down to room temperature, add it to an airtight container (if kept in the fridge) or Ziploc freezer bag (if you want it weeks down the road). When ready to reheat and serve, add it to your slow cooker and reheat on LOW.
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Slow Cooker Hanky Panky
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 lb. hot sausage (Jimmy Dean)
- 1 lb. Velveeta cheese
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. caraway seeds
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
For serving
- 2-4 loaves cheesecake factory famous brown bread
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and sausage together on the stove top. Crumble into small bits and drain the grease off.
- Add the meat mixture to the slow cooker.
- Cube the velveeta and add on top of the meat.
- Sprinkle over the seasonings.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on High for 1 hour or until hot. Stir occasionally.
- Blot any grease with paper towels. Serve with brown bread, sliced rye bread, or party pumpernickel bread if you can find it.
- This is supposed to be a thick spread, but add a small splash of milk if you feel yours is too thick.
Sarah’s Notes
- Easily substitute the spicy sausage for a medium or milder pork sausage.
- Add more spice by getting Mexican Velveeta or adding a dash of red pepper flakes just before serving.
- To make ahead of time, cook according to the directions and once cooled down to room temperature, add it to an airtight container (if kept in the fridge) or Ziploc freezer bag (if you want it weeks down the road). When you’re ready to reheat and serve, add it to your slow cooker and reheat on LOW.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
My family doesnt like velveta – can I use another block cheese?
Yes! That will work fine.
I have 2 questions, Where can you get velveeta cheese in the uk & can you just use sausages out of their skins as I haven’t seen ground hot sausage over here in the uk
Do you have ground sausage that isn’t spicy that would work. Can you find American cheese at your stores? It’s pretty much the same thing. Sorry I’m not much help!