10/07/2026
HANKY PANKY (The Ultimate Retro Appetizer) 🍞🧀🥩
This old-fashioned appetizer is a total crowd favorite! It’s a savory, cheesy, meaty bite served on crispy rye bread that disappears fast at parties. With ground beef, hot sausage, and melted Velveeta, it's packed with flavor and ready in just 20 minutes.
Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 10 mins | Serves: 6 Credit: Carrie Barnard
🛒 INGREDIENTS:
The Meat: 1 lb Ground Beef & 1 lb Hot Pork Sausage
The Cheese: 1 pkg Velveeta Cheese (16 oz), diced
The Base: 1 loaf Cocktail Rye Bread (or Party Rye/Pumpernickel)
The Seasoning:
½ tsp Garlic Salt
1 tsp Oregano
½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
🔥 DIRECTIONS:
Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and sausage together until cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
Melt: Turn the heat to low. Add the cubed Velveeta, garlic salt, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir constantly until the cheese is fully melted and combined with the meat.
Assemble: Arrange the cocktail rye bread slices on a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup!). Top each slice with a generous spoonful of the meat mixture.
Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes until the bread is toasted and the cheesy topping is bubbling.
Serve: Serve warm immediately!
💡 CHEF'S TIPS:
Adjust the Heat: We used hot pork sausage, but you can use mild sausage, turkey sausage, or Italian sausage if you prefer less spice.
Dip Variation: Want to skip the bread? This meat mixture is delicious kept warm in a slow cooker and served as a dip with tortilla chips or crackers.
Make Ahead: You can brown the meat and mix in the cheese ahead of time, store it in the fridge, and just assemble/bake when guests arrive.
Spice Kick: If you love spicy food, try using spicy Velveeta cheese or adding extra red pepper flakes.