Cheeseburger Sliders

Featured in: Satisfying Recipes for the Main Event

Transform regular burgers into flavorful sliders perfect for a gathering. Loaded with seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and a zesty mayo-based sauce. The rolls stay soft and break apart easily, keeping the filling intact. They're super easy and only take 20 minutes to prepare—a crowd-pleaser for your party or game day.
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Updated on Sun, 04 May 2025 15:43:59 GMT
A tray of fluffy buns with gooey cheese and sesame seeds. Pin it
A tray of fluffy buns with gooey cheese and sesame seeds. | tastefullyrecipe.com

In my house, we've always valued the tradition of burger-making, and I've come to realize that sliders add something special to every get-together. These tiny cheeseburgers deliver all the taste of regular burgers in cute, party-sized bites that always get folks smiling around the dinner table.

I've brought these to so many family events and watched even the fussiest eaters grab another one. When you mix juicy beef with melted cheese, my guests can't help but be impressed, which is why these little burgers are my favorite thing to make when company's coming.

Must-Have Ingredients Breakdown

  • Ground beef (80/20 blend): Gives you that perfect mix of taste and juiciness that makes everyone want another slider.
  • Sweet Hawaiian rolls: Form a soft, puffy base that works so well with the savory stuff inside.
  • American cheese: Delivers that familiar melt that takes you back to burgers from your childhood.

Kitchen Wizardry Steps

Starting Setup:
Take your rolls out while they're still connected and cut them across with a bread knife. This way everything stays lined up when you put it together.
Beef Mix Magic:
Cook your ground beef in a big pan, breaking it into tiny, similar-sized bits. Toss in some finely chopped onions and let their sweetness seep into the meat.
Perfect Stacking:
Put the bottom part of your connected rolls in a baking dish. Cover with cheese so every bit gets some for the perfect melt.
Putting It All Together:
Spread your flavored meat mix evenly on top of the cheese. Add another cheese layer and finish with the top half of your rolls.

My grandma always told me the key to amazing sliders was getting the right amount of meat for each bun, and after making these for years, I totally agree. We won't use anything but that 80/20 beef mix in our family anymore.

Tasty Companions

Make your slider experience even better by adding some crunchy sweet potato fries or a cool cucumber salad on the side. These combos have become the talk of my weekend get-togethers.

A tray of hamburger buns with meat inside and a bowl of sauce. Pin it
A tray of hamburger buns with meat inside and a bowl of sauce. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Exciting Variations

Try mixing up different cheeses or throwing in some browned onions for a fancier flavor. My own favorite twist is adding some crushed garlic to the meat while it's cooking.

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any extra sliders in aluminum foil and keep them in your fridge for up to three days. Just warm them for 10 minutes in a 350°F oven and they'll taste almost freshly made.

I've spent years getting this recipe just right, and I've noticed these sliders bring folks together like magic. They show everything I think cooking should be about: easy to make, super satisfying, and fun to share with people you care about.

Creating The Ultimate Topping

Last summer I made it my mission to find the best sauce for these sliders. I found out that mixing mayo with sweet pickle relish and a bit of smoked paprika makes something that goes perfectly with the juicy meat. My family helped taste test, and we learned that if you let the sauce sit in the fridge for at least an hour, all the flavors blend together really nicely.

Getting The Heat Just Right

I've figured out that timing matters so much for these sliders. From making them at tons of parties, I now know that you need to heat your oven to exactly 350°F and wait until it's fully hot before putting them in. The sweet spot for getting perfectly melted cheese and a slightly crispy top is exactly 15 minutes of cooking time.

Flavor-Boosting Secrets

While playing around in my kitchen, I found that adding flavors in layers makes everything taste better. Splash some Worcestershire sauce while the meat cooks, then mix in some garlic powder and onion powder right before you put it all together for amazing flavor in every bite. My mom taught me to add just a tiny bit of brown sugar to the meat - it brings out all the natural flavors without making anything taste sweet.

Picking The Right Rolls

I've tried so many different kinds and found that the rolls you pick really matter. Hawaiian rolls are great, but brioche slider buns can make everything taste extra rich. You want something soft that won't fall apart with all the juicy filling. I learned through lots of tries that if you lightly toast the inside of the bottom buns, they won't get soggy when you add all the other stuff.

Party Planning Tips

These sliders have become what everyone expects me to bring to neighborhood parties. I've worked out that one batch (12 sliders) feeds about 6 people for dinner or 12 people as a snack. For bigger parties, I make several batches one after another, and keep the finished ones warm by wrapping them in foil and putting them in a low-temp oven.

A tray of hamburger buns with meat in them. Pin it
A tray of hamburger buns with meat in them. | tastefullyrecipe.com

After making these sliders more times than I can count, I really love how they combine everything great about comfort food: they're easy to make, they taste amazing, and they're fun to share. Whether you're watching the big game with friends or feeding your hungry family, these sliders always hit the spot. The mix of carefully picked ingredients and tried-and-true cooking tricks makes something truly amazing that folks just can't resist.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I get these sliders ready ahead of time?
Sure! Make the beef mixture and sauce the day before. Assemble and bake just before you serve them for the tastiest results.
→ Which cheese melts best for these sliders?
Go for American cheese—it melts perfectly and keeps things together. Boar's Head is a great choice, but any quality American cheese works just fine.
→ What makes Hawaiian rolls so good here?
They're fluffy, slightly sweet, and hold their shape when baked. Plus, they’re easy to pull apart, making them slider-friendly.
→ How do I stop the buns from overbaking?
If the tops are browning too quickly, just cover them lightly with foil to keep them from burning.
→ Can I make a larger batch of sliders?
Absolutely! Just double everything for 24 sliders. Use two pans or a bigger tray to fit them all.

Cheeseburger Sliders

These cheesy sliders are packed with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and a tangy sauce. Perfect for game nights or any fun get-together!

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 sliders)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Ground Beef Mixture

01 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
02 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
03 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
04 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 1 tablespoon softened butter
06 1 pound ground beef
07 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
09 Black pepper, freshly cracked, to taste

→ Burger Assembly

10 Pinch of garlic powder and salt
11 1 pack (12 rolls) King's Hawaiian butter rolls
12 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (white)
13 3 tablespoons butter, melted
14 16 slices of American cheese (preferably Boar's Head)

→ Burger Sauce

15 2 teaspoons sugar
16 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
17 1/2 cup mayo
18 Salt and pepper as needed
19 2 tablespoons sweet relish made from pickles
20 1/4 cup ketchup

Instructions

Step 01

Fire up your oven to 350°F and spread softened butter on the bottom of a baking sheet.

Step 02

In a medium pan, add olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the onions and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and break it up as it cooks, about 6-7 minutes, until there's no pink left. Once done, drain off the grease and mix in the mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and some pepper. Let it cook for another minute.

Step 03

Cut the rolls in half, placing the bottoms onto the buttered baking dish. Layer 8 cheese slices down first, then evenly spread the beef mixture on top—press it down gently. Top it off with the remaining cheese slices and the roll tops.

Step 04

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with a pinch of salt and garlic powder. Brush this mix over the tops of the rolls, then sprinkle on sesame seeds. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is gooey and the buns are warm. If the tops start browning too fast, cover loosely with foil.

Step 05

While the rolls are baking, use a whisk to mix mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl until it's smooth.

Notes

  1. Perfect for game days or hosting friends at home
  2. Double the ingredients to make up to 24 sliders
  3. Watch the buns closely while they bake to avoid over-browning

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixing bowl
  • Medium pan for sautéing
  • Sheet pan for baking
  • A brush for spreading butter

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (cheese and butter)
  • Has gluten (from the dinner rolls)
  • Contains eggs (from the mayo)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 330
  • Total Fat: 29 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 15 g