These cheeseburger sliders are a perfect blend of juicy ground beef, melted cheese, flavorful seasoning, and soft Hawaiian rolls that make them irresistible crowd-pleasers. Whether you’re planning a party appetizer, game day snack, or family dinner, sliders are fun to eat and easy to customize. This recipe uses a clever combination of cream cheese and melted butter with garlic and Italian seasoning to add depth of flavor and keep the sliders moist and luscious.
Ingredients Overview
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp steak or preferred seasoning
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- 1/4 lb American cheese (more to taste)
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- Pinch of Italian seasoning
- Splash of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pack (12 count) Hawaiian rolls
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Beef Mixture
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat. A thicker pan helps develop a good sear on the beef for extra flavor.
- Add the ground beef (slightly more than a pound if you prefer) directly into the skillet. Don’t immediately stir the beef; instead, let it sit in a loose layer with some gaps to allow browning. This step caramelizes the surface, developing a richer beef flavor.
- After 2-3 minutes, start breaking up the meat gently with a spatula, stirring occasionally to brown all the meat pieces evenly.
- Once the beef is halfway cooked, tilt the pan carefully and drain excess rendered fat, leaving only about a tablespoon. This keeps the sliders juicy but prevents greasiness.
- Return the heat to medium and add minced yellow onion to the skillet with the beef. The fat remaining in the pan will sauté the onions perfectly, adding sweetness and texture.
- Toss in your steak seasoning or chosen blend, ensuring the meat and onions are evenly coated. Seasonings without salt are ideal to better control salt balance later.
- Cook everything until beef is fully browned and onions are soft, then turn off the heat.
Incorporate Cream Cheese to Bind
- Add the cream cheese directly into the warm beef and onion mixture. Mixing it in while the pan is off but still warm will gently melt the cream cheese, acting as an edible glue to help hold the beef together in the slider when served.
- Stir thoroughly until the cream cheese has blended fully with the beef, creating a creamy, rich texture.
Prepare the Compound Butter
- In a small bowl, combine your melted butter, freshly minced garlic, and a pinch of Italian seasoning. This butter mixture will be brushed on the Hawaiian rolls for extra flavor and moisture.
- If desired, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce into the butter for a subtle umami kick. This combination enhances the savory notes of the sliders beautifully.
Prepare the Rolls
- Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally in half, keeping all the sliders in one pack to handle easily.
- Spread or brush a generous amount of the garlic Italian compound butter on the bottom halves of the rolls.
- Place a layer of American cheese on top of the buttered rolls. Laura Vitale notes that American cheese is a classic choice for cheeseburgers, truly melting well and offering a creamy texture that holds the sliders together. Feel free to add more cheese based on your preference.
Assemble the Sliders
- Spoon the beef and cream cheese mixture evenly over the cheese layer on the bottom buns.
- Add another layer of American cheese on top of the beef mixture for double cheesiness and to help bind the meat to the bread.
- Cover with the top halves of the Hawaiian rolls.
- If you want, add condiments such as mayo or ketchup before topping with the final bun layer, or leave those as optional add-ons at serving time.
Final Preparation and Baking
- Brush the tops of the slider buns liberally with the remaining compound butter. This will help the tops brown nicely during baking and add a tasty garlic aroma.
- Optional embellishments like everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds sprinkled on top can give extra texture and flavor.
- Cover the entire slider tray tightly with foil to keep moisture in.
- Bake these sliders at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes to let the tops toast up beautifully.
Tips to Perfect Your Cheeseburger Sliders
Instead of simple bullet points, let’s delve into why each element works and how small variations can elevate this recipe.
- Choosing your beef: Ground beef offers the foundational flavor. A lean to medium fat ratio (80-85% lean) balances juiciness and flavor without excessive grease. Pressing the beef flat in the skillet initially creates those caramelized pockets where the meat crisps slightly, adding a delightful texture contrast to the soft buns.
- Onion enhances flavor and moisture: Minced onion cooked with the beef infuses natural sweetness and moisture, complementing the savory meat. If you prefer a sharper bite, use raw onion slices as a topping instead.
- Cream cheese acts as a binder: This is a special step not common in all cheeseburger slider recipes. The cream cheese melts into the beef creating a luscious, creamy mixture that doesn’t crumble easily. It’s also a subtle flavor enhancer, lending a slight tang and rich mouthfeel.
- Compound butter with garlic and Italian seasoning: Brushing the buns with this flavored butter before baking infuses the rolls with aromatics and fat, which intensifies the flavor and keeps the bread soft but with a satisfying bite. Worcestershire sauce in the butter adds umami, a savory depth that makes the sliders feel gourmet.
- Why American cheese? Many purists prefer cheddar or other cheeses on burgers, but American cheese melts exceptionally well, creating a creamy layer that binds the slider components together. It also has a mild flavor that doesn’t compete with the seasoned beef but complements it beautifully.
- Baking covered and uncovered: Baking the sliders covered traps steam and keeps the meat and bread warm and moist. Removing the foil at the end lets the tops of the buns crisp up slightly for textural contrast, a small but impactful detail.
- Optional toppings and assembly: Additions like pickles, lettuce, and tomato can be tossed on at the end for freshness and crunch. Mayo and ketchup layers inside the slider are customizable to your taste and add another creamy or tangy element.
Serving Suggestions
Cheeseburger sliders are perfect finger foods for casual gatherings. Serve them with classic sides like French fries, potato chips, coleslaw, or a simple fresh salad. Mini skewers or toothpicks can be used for easy handling. These sliders also reheat well, making them great for meal prep or leftovers.
Essential Equipment Guide
- Oven (preheated to 350°F)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Skillet
- Small bowl (for butter mixture)
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient (per slider, approx.) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250-300 |
| Protein | 12-15g |
| Fat | 15-18g |
| Carbohydrates | 20-25g |
Values estimated for similar sliders; actuals vary by exact portions and brands.
Pairings
- Crispy french fries or onion rings for a classic fast-food vibe
- Fresh pickle slices and ketchup for added tang
- Coleslaw or simple green salad to balance richness
- Ice-cold beer or soda for casual meals
Variations
- Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken to lighten it up
- Add diced pickles or jalapeños to the beef mix for extra crunch
- Use cheddar instead of American cheese for sharper flavor
- Top with bacon bits post-bake for smoky indulgence
Recipe Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: Makes 12 sliders
How to Make Easy Cheeseburger Sliders at Home – Full Recipe
These cheeseburger sliders are a perfect blend of juicy ground beef, melted cheese, flavorful seasoning, and soft Hawaiian rolls that make them irresistible crowd-pleasers. Whether you’re planning a party appetizer, game day snack, or family dinner, sliders are fun to eat and easy to customize. This recipe uses a clever combination of cream cheese and melted butter with garlic and Italian seasoning to add depth of flavor and keep the sliders moist and luscious.
- Total Time: 50 Mins
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp steak or preferred seasoning
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- 1/4 lb American cheese (more to taste)
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- Pinch of Italian seasoning
- Splash of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pack (12 count) Hawaiian rolls
Instructions
Prepare the Beef Mixture
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat. A thicker pan helps develop a good sear on the beef for extra flavor.
- Add the ground beef (slightly more than a pound if you prefer) directly into the skillet. Don’t immediately stir the beef; instead, let it sit in a loose layer with some gaps to allow browning. This step caramelizes the surface, developing a richer beef flavor.
- After 2-3 minutes, start breaking up the meat gently with a spatula, stirring occasionally to brown all the meat pieces evenly.
- Once the beef is halfway cooked, tilt the pan carefully and drain excess rendered fat, leaving only about a tablespoon. This keeps the sliders juicy but prevents greasiness.
- Return the heat to medium and add minced yellow onion to the skillet with the beef. The fat remaining in the pan will sauté the onions perfectly, adding sweetness and texture.
- Toss in your steak seasoning or chosen blend, ensuring the meat and onions are evenly coated. Seasonings without salt are ideal to better control salt balance later.
- Cook everything until beef is fully browned and onions are soft, then turn off the heat.
Incorporate Cream Cheese to Bind
- Add the cream cheese directly into the warm beef and onion mixture. Mixing it in while the pan is off but still warm will gently melt the cream cheese, acting as an edible glue to help hold the beef together in the slider when served.
- Stir thoroughly until the cream cheese has blended fully with the beef, creating a creamy, rich texture.
Prepare the Compound Butter
- In a small bowl, combine your melted butter, freshly minced garlic, and a pinch of Italian seasoning. This butter mixture will be brushed on the Hawaiian rolls for extra flavor and moisture.
- If desired, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce into the butter for a subtle umami kick. This combination enhances the savory notes of the sliders beautifully.
Prepare the Rolls
- Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally in half, keeping all the sliders in one pack to handle easily.
- Spread or brush a generous amount of the garlic Italian compound butter on the bottom halves of the rolls.
- Place a layer of American cheese on top of the buttered rolls. Laura Vitale notes that American cheese is a classic choice for cheeseburgers, truly melting well and offering a creamy texture that holds the sliders together. Feel free to add more cheese based on your preference.
Assemble the Sliders
- Spoon the beef and cream cheese mixture evenly over the cheese layer on the bottom buns.
- Add another layer of American cheese on top of the beef mixture for double cheesiness and to help bind the meat to the bread.
- Cover with the top halves of the Hawaiian rolls.
- If you want, add condiments such as mayo or ketchup before topping with the final bun layer, or leave those as optional add-ons at serving time.
Final Preparation and Baking
- Brush the tops of the slider buns liberally with the remaining compound butter. This will help the tops brown nicely during baking and add a tasty garlic aroma.
- Optional embellishments like everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds sprinkled on top can give extra texture and flavor.
- Cover the entire slider tray tightly with foil to keep moisture in.
- Bake these sliders at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes to let the tops toast up beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 Mins
- Cook Time: 35 Mins
