Baked Cheeseburger Sliders

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Juicy, cheesy, and baked until perfectly melty, these baked cheeseburger sliders are everything kids love about a classic cheeseburger in a fun, easy-to-eat slider form. They’re made with seasoned ground beef, layers of melted cheddar cheese, and soft Hawaiian rolls that bake up golden and buttery in the oven.

Cheeseburger sliders served with pickles and a burger sauce.
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If you need a dinner that kids will actually be excited about, these baked cheeseburger sliders are it. They’re cheesy, buttery, and packed with all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger, just baked into soft Hawaiian rolls that are perfect for little hands. They’re the kind of meal that makes everyone happy at the table, kids love them because they’re fun and familiar, and parents love them because they come together in one pan with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, game nights, or anytime you want a no-stress dinner.

And if you need a few more easy dinner options to add to your rotation, try this creamy tomato pasta, chicken parm meatballs, or these mini chicken pot pies for more simple options kids will love too!

What You’ll Need

Here is what you’ll need to make these baked cheeseburger sliders:

Ingredients to make cheeseburger sliders.
  • Ground Beef: The base of the sliders, cooked and seasoned for that classic burger flavor.
  • Onion: Adds sweetness and flavor once sautéed with the beef.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder build that classic burger taste.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a rich, savory depth that makes the beef taste more “burger-like.”
  • Hawaiian Rolls: Soft, slightly sweet rolls that bake up perfectly tender and golden.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts well and gives that classic cheeseburger flavor.
  • Butter: Brushed on top of the rolls for richness and a golden finish.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Ingredient Substitutions & Additions

  • Hawaiian Rolls: Hawaiian rolls add a slight sweetness that kids usually love, but any slider buns or dinner rolls will work. Just make sure they’re soft enough to bake without drying out.
  • Onion: If your kids are picky about texture, you can finely mince the onion so it “melts” into the beef, or leave it out completely and use 1/2 tsp onion powder instead.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: If you don’t have it, you can skip it, but it does add that classic burger flavor. A tiny splash of soy sauce can work in a pinch.
  • Add-ins: Add sliced dill pickles inside the sliders right after baking for a classic cheeseburger flavor that kids who like pickles will love. You can also lightly spread ketchup, mustard, or burger on the bottom buns for extra flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Steps to make cheeseburger sliders.

STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to a large pan over medium heat (Image 1). Once melted, add the finely diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes (Image 2).

STEP 2: Add the ground beef to the pan and break it up finely as it cooks (Image 3). Once the beef begins to brown, add in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder (Image 4). Stir to combine.

Steps to make cheeseburger sliders.

STEP 3: Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned. Drain excess grease, leaving just a small amount behind so the beef stays juicy (not dry) (Image 5).

STEP 4: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.

STEP 5: Prep the Hawaiian rolls. Keep them connected and slice the entire slab horizontally. Place the bottom half into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish (Image 6).

STEP 6: Add 4 slices of cheddar cheese over the bottom layer of rolls (Image 7). You may have to slice pieces off and rearrange to make sure the cheese is in an even layer.

STEP 7: Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the cheese. Use a spoon or spatula to press it down firmly into an even layer so it stays together after baking (Image 8). These make meaty sliders, but if you prefer a lighter version, you can leave a bit of the beef out and serve it on the side.

Steps to make cheeseburger sliders.

STEP 8: Add the remaining 4 slices of cheddar cheese on top of the beef, then place the top half of the rolls over everything (Images 9 & 10).

STEP 9: Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and brush it generously over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired (Image 10).

STEP 10: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden. Let them rest for 5 minutes and then slice into individual sliders to serve.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture so that the buns stay soft but slightly crisp on top. You can also freeze them after baking. Wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat covered in the oven until warmed through.

Cheeseburger sliders served with pickles and a burger sauce.

Tips For Success

  • Don’t skip draining the beef. Leaving too much grease can make the sliders soggy, especially once baked with the buns.
  • Press the beef layer firmly into the rolls before baking so everything holds together when sliced. Compacting the beef helps the sliders hold together much better after baking. If you want the beef layer to feel more cohesive, add in the optional mayo once the meat slightly cools to help with binding.
  • Let the sliders rest for 5 minutes after baking before slicing. This helps the cheese set slightly so the sliders stay together better.
Cheeseburger sliders served with pickles and a burger sauce.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the best ground beef to use?

An 85/15 or 80/20 ground beef blend works really well because it has enough fat for flavor without making the sliders too greasy. Leaner beef can work too, but may be slightly less juicy.

Can I use shredded cheese instead of slices?

Yes! Shredded cheese melts really well and can help the beef layer stick together a bit more. Just make sure to spread it evenly for the best melt.

Why are my sliders falling apart when sliced?

Usually, this happens if the beef layer wasn’t pressed down firmly enough or if the sliders were sliced immediately after baking. Letting them rest for 5 minutes helps everything set together better.

Can I make these cheeseburger sliders less “meaty”?

Yes! These sliders are pretty hearty and packed with beef. You can use a little less of the beef mixture and save the extra for another meal or serve it on the side.

Other Beef Recipes You’ll Love

If you tried these Baked Cheeseburger Sliders, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing from you!

Cheeseburger sliders served with pickles and a burger sauce.
5 from 1 vote

Baked Cheeseburger Sliders

Juicy, cheesy, and baked until perfectly melty, these baked cheeseburger sliders are everything kids love about a classic cheeseburger in a fun, easy-to-eat slider form. They’re made with seasoned ground beef, layers of melted cheddar cheese, and soft Hawaiian rolls that bake up golden and buttery in the oven.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 27 minutes
Servings: 12 sliders

Ingredients 

Sliders

  • 1 ½ lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise, optional for binding

Slider Assembly

  • 1 package Hawaiin rolls, with 12 rolls
  • 8 slices cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter, divided
  • sesame seeds, optional to sprinkle on top

Optional Burger Sauce

  • ½ cup mayo
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp pickle juice, from the brine of dill pickles
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Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to a large pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the finely diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
  • Add the ground beef to the pan and break it up finely as it cooks. Once the beef begins to brown, add in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine.
  • Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned. Drain excess grease, leaving just a small amount behind so the beef stays juicy (not dry)
  • Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cook for another 2 minutes. (Optional: Once the beef has cooled slightly, stir in 1/4 cup of Mayonnaise to help the meat bind together. You can leave this out if you'd like, the meat will just be a little looser when packing into the bread for the sliders).
  • Prep the Hawaiian rolls. Keep them connected and slice the entire slab horizontally. Place the bottom half into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Add 4 slices of cheddar cheese over the bottom layer of rolls. You may have to slice pieces off and rearrange to make sure the cheese is in an even layer.
  • Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the cheese. Use a spoon or spatula to press it down firmly into an even layer so it stays together after baking. These make meaty sliders, but if you prefer a lighter version, you can leave a bit of the beef out and serve it on the side.
  • Add the remaining 4 slices of cheddar cheese on top of the beef, then place the top half of the rolls over everything
  • Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and brush it generously over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired
  • Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden. Let them rest for 5 minutes and then slice into individual sliders to serve.

Notes

  • Don’t skip draining the beef. Leaving too much grease can make the sliders soggy, especially once baked with the buns.
  • Press the beef layer firmly into the rolls before baking so everything holds together when sliced. Compacting the beef helps the sliders hold together much better after baking. If you want the beef layer to feel more cohesive, add in the optional mayo once the meat slightly cools to help with binding.
  • Let the sliders rest for 5 minutes after baking before slicing. This helps the cheese set slightly so the sliders stay together better.

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 340mg, Potassium: 193mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 174IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 96mg, Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
Until next time, Lily!

About Lily Payen

Hi, I’m Lily! The mama behind Feeding Tiny Bellies. I’m here to help you take some of the stress out of meal times for your little ones. My goal is to create simple recipes with baby in mind that can easily be adapted for the entire family.

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