Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders are a winner because:

• They bring together rich beef flavour with gooey melted cheese for satisfying comfort food.
• They’re easy to prepare and baked in one pan or dish, making them convenient for weeknights or gatherings.
• They’re versatile—you can customise the cheese, buns and toppings to suit your taste.
• They scale well, so whether you’re cooking for 4 or 12, you can adjust easily.
• They’re fun and shareable, making them great for parties, game day or casual get-togethers.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Ground beef (lean)
• Onion (finely diced)
• Garlic powder (or fresh garlic)
• Salt and pepper
• Mayonnaise (or another binder/creaminess)
• Shredded cheese (e.g., cheddar)
• Sliced cheese (e.g., cheddar or American)
• Slider buns (brioche or dinner-roll style)
• Butter (melted) for brushing buns
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Optional sauce (for example, sriracha aioli or burger sauce)
• Optional additional toppings: pickles, bacon, jalapeños, sliced tomato, etc.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven (for example to about 190-200 °C / 375-400 °F).
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with finely diced onion until browned, seasoning with salt, pepper and garlic powder (or fresh garlic). Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Stir in mayonnaise (or your creamy binder) and shredded cheese until well mixed and melty.
4. Slice the slider buns in half and place the bottom halves in a baking dish.
5. Layer a slice or two of cheese on the bottom buns, spread the beef mixture evenly over the cheese, then top with another slice of cheese if desired, and place the top buns over.
6. Brush the tops of the buns with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.
7. Bake uncovered until the cheese is melted, the buns are lightly toasted and everything is heated through (about 12-20 minutes depending on size and oven). If tops brown too fast, tent loosely with foil.
8. Remove from oven, slice between buns if baked as a full tray, and serve immediately with your chosen toppings and sides.

Servings and timing

• Servings: Approximately 12 sliders (about 3 sliders per person for 4 people) — adjust up or down.
• Prep time: ~10-15 minutes
• Cook time: ~15-20 minutes
• Total time: ~25-35 minutes

Variations

• Swap the cheese: Try pepper jack, Swiss, provolone or a blend of cheeses for different flavour and meltiness.
• Change the buns: Use brioche, Hawaiian rolls, pretzel sliders or even gluten-free buns.
• Add toppings: Bacon, caramelised onions, pickled jalapeños, sliced tomato, lettuce, or pickles for extra interest.
• Sauce options: Replace mayonnaise with aioli, sriracha mayo, BBQ sauce, chipotle mayo or classic burger sauce.
• Make mini-meatballs: Instead of loose beef, form mini patties and bake, then assemble in buns.
• Use other ground meat: Turkey or chicken or a beef-pork mix can work; adjust seasoning as needed.

Storage/Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat: Place sliders on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a ~175-180 °C (350-360 °F) oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Microwaving works in a pinch but may make buns soggy.
• For make-ahead: You can cook the beef mixture ahead of time and keep it chilled; assemble and bake when ready to serve. Avoid assembling too early or buns may get soggy.
• Freezing: After baking, cool completely, wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat in oven.

FAQs

What kind of ground beef is best for sliders?

Lean ground beef (for example 90/10 or 93/7) is ideal because it reduces excess fat and prevents soggy buns. You can use fattier beef but you’ll need to drain the fat carefully.

Can I skip the mayonnaise in the meat mixture?

Yes — mayonnaise adds creaminess and helps bind, but you can substitute Greek yogurt, sour cream or omit entirely and just rely on cheese.

Do I have to bake the sliders or can I cook them on the stovetop?

Baking is easiest for assembling many sliders and melting the cheese fully. You could cook them individually on the stovetop, but for a tray of sliders baking is more efficient.

How do I stop the buns from getting soggy?

Drain excess fat from the cooked beef. Use a slice of cheese between the bun and meat to create a moisture barrier. Bake uncovered so moisture can escape rather than steam the buns.

Can I make fewer sliders or scale the recipe down?

Absolutely — simply reduce the amount of meat, cheese and buns proportionally for fewer servings.

What sides go well with cheesy ground beef sliders?

French fries, tater tots, potato wedges, coleslaw, salad, baked beans, chips — anything casual and fun pairs well.

How can I make them a little healthier?

Use leaner meat, whole-grain or whole-wheat slider buns, reduce the quantity of cheese slightly, add a generous topping of fresh vegetables (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles).

Can these sliders be made gluten-free?

Yes — use gluten-free slider buns or gluten-free rolls, and ensure any condiments/sauces are gluten-free.

Are these good for meal prepping?

Yes — cook the beef mixture ahead, assemble and bake when ready to serve. Leftovers reheat well. Just be mindful of bun texture if assembling too early.

How should I store the sauce or extra toppings?

Keep sauces in sealed containers in the fridge (usually good for 3-4 days). Pre-slice or pre-prepare toppings like onions or pickles in advance, but assemble sliders just before serving for best texture.

Conclusion

Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders are a versatile, crowd-friendly dish that brings together comfort and convenience. With juicy seasoned beef, oozy melted cheese and soft buns, they’re ideal for casual dinners, parties or game-day spreads. The recipe is simple, flexible and easy to make your own with different cheeses, buns, sauces and toppings. Give them a try and you’ll likely find yourself reaching for this slider variation time and again.

Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders

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Juicy, seasoned ground beef mixed with melty cheese and baked between soft slider buns, these Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders are an easy, crowd-pleasing favorite perfect for game days, parties, or casual dinners.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 sliders (serves 4)
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 500 g lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove fresh garlic, minced)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise (or substitute with sour cream or Greek yogurt)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6–8 slices cheddar or American cheese
• 12 slider buns (brioche or dinner-roll style)
• 2 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
• Optional sauce (sriracha mayo, BBQ, or burger sauce)
• Optional toppings: pickles, bacon, jalapeños, sliced tomato, lettuce

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190–200°C (375–400°F).
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in mayonnaise and shredded cheese until melted and combined, then remove from heat.
4. Slice slider buns in half horizontally and place the bottoms in a baking dish.
5. Layer a slice of cheese over the bottom buns, spread the beef mixture evenly, and top with another cheese slice if desired. Place the top buns over the filling.
6. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle sesame seeds if using.
7. Bake uncovered for 12–20 minutes, until cheese melts and buns are golden brown. Tent with foil if tops brown too quickly.
8. Remove from oven, slice between buns, and serve hot with your choice of sauce and toppings.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) to avoid soggy buns.
• Drain excess fat before assembling to keep buns crisp.
• Substitute different cheeses for variety such as Swiss or pepper jack.
• To make ahead, cook beef mixture and assemble just before baking.
• For gluten-free sliders, use gluten-free rolls and condiments.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3 sliders
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg