There’s never a bad time for a toasty, melty, pull-apart tray of sliders. They make for a convenient handheld snack that’s both cravable and satisfying in one pillowy bundle. A pulled pork version is great at a barbecue alongside pasta salad and watermelon. Ham and cheese are fun for book club or a birthday party. Whatever the event—or ingredient—slider buns just make everything better.
Though arguably, one occasion is especially fitting for a tray of sandwiches: Football Sunday. And the biggest football Sunday of all is right around the corner. So what better time to break out a sheet pan and a package of slider buns than right now? My mother-in-law knows this, too, which is why she will once again be loading up Hawaiian rolls with meat and cheese for everyone’s favorite comfort food.
This Cheeseburger Slider Recipe Makes the Best Party Snack
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
My mother-in-law’s go-to cheeseburger sliders recipe takes everything we love about a burger and turns it into the easiest way to feed a hungry crowd—no spatula or grill needed. The dish starts with a pound of ground beef cooked with chopped onion until browned, then leveled up with ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to build a rich, savory flavor base. A full pack of soft Hawaiian dinner rolls is sliced in half, with the bottom layer placed in a baking dish or on a sheet pan. The beef mixture is spread evenly over the rolls, followed by a generous layer of shredded cheese. To finish, a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, and additional seasoning coats the tops, creating a buttery coating that is the pièce de résistance.
If you’re so inclined, you can sprinkle sesame seeds on top as well for extra flair, as my MIL likes to do. The sliders are baked for about 20 minutes, just before serving, until the cheese is melty and the tops are golden and slightly crisp.
While the recipe leaves it here, it is an ideal base for adding any customizations you might crave—from burger sauce to pickles to tomatoes, and more.
What makes these sliders so irresistible is how they hit all the classic cheeseburger notes, while the buttery topping adds just enough richness and sweetness to make them perfect for pulling apart and sharing.
What Makes This Slider Recipe Special
Our community of home cooks loves this recipe as well. Karen H. agrees with us: “Easy and delicious! Family loved it! The butter topping (with the combination of brown sugar, dijon and Worcestershire) took the flavor to another level—not your basic cheeseburger slider!”
Christina adds, “Yes all the way to these! I did add sliced pickles, but that was my only change. Super yummy and the fam LOVED them! Thanks for sharing.”
Whether for a big game snack or just a regular weeknight, these sliders are an easy answer to the “what to make?” question. Especially if you have an extra pack of buns lying around. Take it from my mother-in-law—she knows her way around the kitchen.