Disclosure: Messaging below is intended for ages 21+ and is intended to be enjoyed responsibly, in moderation: This Cheesy Beer and Bacon Sloppy Joe Sliders recipe has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. {ad} #BeersAndBuns #CollectiveBias

Gearing up for the big game? Put these Cheesy Beer and Bacon Sloppy Joe Sliders on your game day menu and score big with friends and fellow football fanatics!

Like many of you, especially my fellow Texans, football was a big part of our fall festivities. Which is kind of ironic, due to the fact that while we enjoy a good game, we aren’t those super crazy football fanatics. But the past few years have been a little different, and we couldn’t help but getting wrapped up in all the football frenzy!

We eagerly watched several live games and attended several spirited tailgates. We even hosted a few of our own football watch parties, and those football filled weekends quickly turned into weeks of fun all leading up to the quickly approaching big game!

While I love to watch these games and attend the tailgates, eagerly cheering on my favorite teams, if I am being honest, I get more excited about all the other game day fun. You know, fun little rivalries between friends, creating fun and cute football themed décor (which, strangely, is appreciated by both the guys and gals) and of course serving the best football eats in town.

Yes, I know, there are those classic football foods that everyone expects when they go to a football party; things like pizza, 7 Layer Dip and hot wings, but I always like to try and serve a few easy, yet show stopping game day eats. Not that there isn’t anything wrong with all those “classic” football foods, but why not serve a spread of food that will have them talking, not just about the game?

So, last fall when we were in the middle of all the football fun, I came up with these Cheesy Beer and Bacon Sloppy Joe Sliders and served them at several tailgates and watch parties. They quickly developed a loyal fan base, so much so, when we hosted friends to watch a football game over the holidays, these were the one snack food everyone requested!

With all the nail biting playoff games currently taking place and THE big game just a few weeks away, we are already making our game day plans. Compared to other years, I think this year’s big game watch party will be a little smaller, but that doesn’t mean I won’t go all out on the food and décor. To get ready, I’ll be shopping at my local Kroger and stocking up on plenty of game day snacks, party supplies and drinks, including premium beers. Kroger not only always has a great selection of local and international beers, like Warsteiner Pilsner and other premium pilsners, I know I can get other game day ingredients, like the fluffy and delicious Pepperidge Farm® Bakery Classics Sweet & Soft Slider Buns used in my Cheesy Beer and Bacon Sloppy Joe Sliders, while getting my weekly grocery shopping done too.

I think that what makes these Cheesy Beer and Bacon Sloppy Joe Sliders so irresistible, is that they are a sophisticated twist on a popular comfort food! Everyone loves sloppy joes, but when you add crispy bacon and a tangy, robust beer cheese sauce, well that’s sloppy joe heaven! Pair these babies with an ice-cold pilsner and some crunchy potato chips, and you’ll definitely be crowned the big game winner!

How are you celebrating the big game? Do serve a traditional game day menu or do you think outside the box?

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Cheesy Beer and Bacon Sloppy Joe Sliders

Yield: Serves: 6 -8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Bite sized sloppy joes with crispy bacon and a robust beer cheese sauce.

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Ingredients

• For sloppy joes:
• 1/2 tablespoon canola or coconut oil
• 5 strips of bacon
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion,, diced
• 1 teaspoon beef spice rub/seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic,, minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon spicy mustard
• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon each kosher salt and black pepper,, or to taste
• -
• For beer cheese sauce:
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Warsteiner Pilsner or Pilsner beer of your choice
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon each kosher salt and black pepper,, or to taste
• -
• For serving:
• Pepperidge Farm® Bakery Classics Sweet & Soft Slider Buns

Instructions

1. To make sloppy joes: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Discard bacon grease, leaving about ½ a tablespoon grease in the skillet.
2. Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or metal spatula, until cooked through and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Stir in beef rub and diced onions. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, both mustards, barbecue sauce, salt and pepper and cooked bacon to skillet. Stir until well combined. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-8 minutes or until thickened.
5. To make beer cheese sauce: In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted whisk in flour, whisking constantly until a thick, golden roux is formed, about 2-3 minutes. Whisking constantly, whisk in beer and milk.
6. Reduce heat to low and whisk in both cheeses, nutmeg, paprika, salt and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until cheese is melted and sauce is thickened. If sauce thickens too much stir in additional milk or beer, as needed.
7. Stir approximately 1/3 cup cheese sauce into sloppy joe mixture, reserving the remainder of the sauce for serving.
8. To serve: Preheat broiler to high heat. Take apart slider buns and place cut side up on a small baking sheet. Place buns under broiler and toast for 1-2 minutes. Once toasted, spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted bottom slider buns.
9. Top sloppy joe filling with an additional 1-2 tablespoons cheese sauce. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Looking for more ideas to get game day ready? Check out these other game day greats (including product coupons) or stop by your local Kroger store for more tasty ideas and to stock up on game day essentials!