Cheeseburger Sliders

Cheeseburger Sliders are a fun and easy meal perfect for those busy school nights or fun game days! When I’m not sure what to make for dinner, my son Henry always requests these. There’s nothing better than these easy baked sliders for feeding a hungry crowd. It’s a recipe we make throughout the year and also one of our favorite game day recipes.

Ilove cheeseburgers. But maybe even more than that, I like tiny cute things. These cheeseburger sliders accomplish both in one delicious, easy recipe. Here, the browned ground beef and onions are fully cooked and then layered on Hawaiian rolls with both American and cheddar cheese. In my opinion, the combo gives the sliders the best cheesy flavor and texture.

I added a layer of sliced dill pickles, too. Their bright, briny flavor and crunch are the perfect complement to the sautéed beef and onions. And I highly recommend making the burger sauce for dipping (you probably already have the ingredients at home!). But if it’s not your thing, feel free to serve them with your favorite dipping sauce instead. They’ll be delicious no matter what. 

Why You’ll Love It

  • No soggy buns here. The layer of American cheese on the bottom acts like a barrier for the other toppings while baking.
  • The burger sauce takes it to another level. I like to serve these cheeseburger sliders with an easy burger sauce made with mayo, ketchup, mustard, and relish.

Key Ingredients in Cheeseburger Sliders

  • Hawaiian rolls: These go great with savory beef and cheese. Plus, they come connected, so all you have to do is slice the loaf in half horizontally, layer on your fixings, and bake.
  • Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for the filling of the burger.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder and yellow mustard give the beef a boost of flavor, while the Worcestershire sauce mimics the grilled burger flavor.
  • Cheese: A combination of American cheese and cheddar creates the best classic cheeseburger flavor and gooey cheese moment.
  • Pickles: Sliced dill pickles add a delicious, briny crunch. You could also try bread-and-butter pickles for extra sweetness (or skip them altogether if you aren’t into pickles).
  • Sesame seeds: Brush the buns with butter or oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds to give them that extra-special burger touch.

How to Make Cheeseburger Sliders

  1. Heat the oven. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook the onions. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook until charred in spots. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Cook the ground beef. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add some oil and ground beef to the pan. Cook, breaking the beef up with a wooden spoon into small pieces, until cooked through. Add the yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until deeply browned in spots. Remove the pan from the heat.
  4. Cut the rolls. Without separating the rolls, cut a package of Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Place the bottom half of the rolls cut-side up in a small rimmed baking sheet, 11×7-inch, or 9×13-inch baking dish.
  5. Assemble the sliders. Arrange the American cheese slices on the bottom half of the rolls in an even layer, overlapping the slices as needed to fit. Top with the onions in an even layer. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef mixture evenly over the onions. Sprinkle with the shredded cheese and top with sliced dill pickles. Place the top half of the rolls cut-side down over the pickles.
  6. Bake. Brush melted butter or olive oil over the top of the rolls, then sprinkle with white sesame seeds. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese is melted and bun tops are toasted, 12 to 15 minutes.
  7. Make the burger sauce. While the sliders are in the oven, place the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and yellow mustard in a small bowl and stir to combine. Taste and stir in more mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper as needed. Serve with the sliders for dipping.

Additional Toppings for Cheeseburger Sliders

These cheeseburger sliders are delicious as-is, but you can also customize them with extra toppings and dipping sauces. Here are a few of my favorites as a jumping-off point.

  • Bacon: Sprinkle coarsely chopped crispy bacon on top of the beef for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms will add an extra boost of umami.
  • Pineapple: Roasted or grilled pineapple would be a delicious surprise topping.
  • Condiments: You can squeeze ketchup, mustard, or mayo directly on the burgers if you prefer!
  • Crispy fried onions: Sprinkle store-bought fried onions (like French’s) over the cheese before adding the top layer of bread. Crushed potato chips would also do the trick.
  • Dipping sauces: Serve other sauces instead of (or in addition to) the burger sauce. Ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, and homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce are just a jumping-off point.
 

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

  • Make ahead: The onions and beef can be cooked up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated in separate airtight containers; reheat before assembling the sliders. The burger sauce can be made up to 4 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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