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Perfect Cheeseburger Sliders: Best Game Day Recipe

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These perfect cheeseburger sliders with special sauce for game day started as a happy accident, but they’ve become one of my most requested recipes. There’s something about the combination of sweet rolls, savory beef, melty cheese, and that tangy special sauce that just works.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 12 sweet Hawaiian rolls
  • 8 slices American cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of salt and black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Make the special sauce: In a small mixing bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Season and cook the beef: Place 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spatula. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder over the meat. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Drain off excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor.
  4. Prepare the rolls: Slice 12 sweet Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping them connected as a whole sheet. Place the bottom half in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  5. Toast the bottom rolls (optional but recommended): Pop the baking dish with the bottom rolls into the oven for about 3-4 minutes, until lightly toasted.
  6. Assemble the sliders: Spread about half of the special sauce evenly over the toasted bottom rolls. Spoon the cooked ground beef over the sauce and spread evenly. Place 8 slices of American cheese on top of the beef, tearing slices in half and overlapping to cover the surface.
  7. Top the sliders: Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and brush over the tops. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds on top if using.
  8. Bake the sliders: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, until tops are golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let sit for 2-3 minutes. Cut along the seams of the rolls to separate into individual sliders. Serve immediately with remaining special sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Don’t overwork the beef; let it sear for flavor. Toast the bottom rolls to prevent sogginess. Use room temperature cheese for even melting. Don’t overbake; check after removing foil. Let sliders rest for 2-3 minutes before cutting. Double the recipe for a crowd.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger sliders, game day recipe, slider recipe, easy sliders, party food, ground beef recipe, Hawaiian roll sliders

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