Achieving perfectly soft and intact slider buns is key to this recipe’s success. My little trick involves adding a layer of cheese directly onto the bottom rolls before the beef. This ingenious barrier prevents the juicy ground beef from making the Hawaiian rolls soggy during baking, ensuring they remain delightfully soft and structurally sound throughout the process. Here’s what you’ll need to make these incredible sliders:

• Ground Beef: The foundation of any great cheeseburger. I recommend using a lean ground beef, such as 80/20 or 90/10, which provides enough fat for flavor and juiciness without excessive grease. My personal favorite, Snake River Farms Wagyu Ground Beef (available in my curated Cook Once, Eat Twice Box!), elevates these sliders with its exceptionally rich flavor and tender texture. For optimal results, ensure the beef is crumbled finely as it cooks to create an even layer across the rolls.
• Dried Onion Soup Mix: This is my absolute secret ingredient and ultimate shortcut for infusing these cheeseburger sliders with an incredible depth of savory flavor! Lipton’s Onion Soup and Dip Mix is a multipurpose seasoning powerhouse that delivers a robust, oniony punch without the time-consuming process of caramelizing fresh onions. It effortlessly transforms ordinary ground beef into a gourmet-tasting burger patty, making these sliders taste like you spent hours on them when in reality, it’s just minutes.
• Hawaiian Rolls: These incredibly soft, subtly sweet rolls are the quintessential base for perfect sliders. I particularly love the Original King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls because of their delicious flavor and convenient pull-apart design. They come connected in a loaf, allowing you to simply slice the entire block horizontally, layer your ingredients, and bake. If King’s Hawaiian aren’t available, feel free to substitute your favorite brand of soft, store-bought slider rolls, or even try making your own with my recipe for homemade dinner rolls.
• Cheese: The gooey heart of any cheeseburger! Sharp cheddar is my go-to for that classic, tangy cheeseburger flavor that melts beautifully. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorites! Pepper jack will add a subtle kick, Swiss offers a nutty, creamy element, provolone brings a mild, savory note, and a smoky Gouda would provide an incredibly sophisticated touch. Since this recipe features a double layer of cheese – one beneath the beef and one on top – it’s an excellent opportunity to mix and match two different types for an even more complex flavor profile!
• Melted Butter: A brush of melted unsalted butter over the tops of the rolls before baking is crucial. It gives these sliders their signature golden-brown, glistening finish and adds a rich, savory depth that perfectly complements the sweetness of the Hawaiian rolls. This butter layer also helps the sesame seeds adhere to the buns.
• Sesame Seeds: Sprinkled generously over the butter-brushed tops, sesame seeds are more than just a garnish. They provide that iconic burger bun appearance, instantly making these sliders feel authentic and appealing. Beyond aesthetics, they contribute a subtle nutty flavor and a delicate crunch that enhances the overall texture of each bite.

These carefully selected ingredients come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures, ensuring every cheeseburger slider is a delightful experience. The magic truly happens when they bake, allowing the cheese to melt into a gooey blanket, the beef to warm through, and the rolls to achieve that perfect golden toastiness.

For precise measurements and quantities, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card provided below.

Making these Hawaiian roll cheeseburger sliders is incredibly straightforward, taking minimal effort for maximum flavor. Follow these simple steps to assemble your delicious mini burgers:

1. Cook the Beef & Season. Begin by placing your ground beef in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the dried onion soup mix directly to the beef. As the meat cooks, use a spatula to continuously break it apart into fine crumbles, ensuring it browns evenly. Continue cooking until the beef is thoroughly cooked through and no longer shows any pink. Once cooked, it’s crucial to carefully drain any excess grease from the pan to prevent the sliders from becoming oily. This step is key for a clean, flavorful bite.

2. Prepare the Rolls. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. Carefully slice the entire block of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally using a serrated knife. This ensures both halves remain intact. Place the bottom half of the rolls onto the prepared baking sheet. This forms the base of your sliders.

3. Lay the First Cheese Layer. Arrange four slices of your chosen cheese evenly in a single layer over the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls. This strategic cheese layer is important as it creates a protective barrier, preventing the delicious juices from the cooked beef from making the rolls soggy and ensuring a perfectly soft base.

4. Add Beef and Second Cheese Layer. Using a slotted spoon to leave behind any residual grease, evenly spread the cooked and seasoned ground beef mixture over the first layer of cheese on the rolls. Then, carefully place the remaining four slices of cheese directly on top of the beef. This second layer ensures maximum cheesiness and helps to bind all the flavors together as they bake.

5. Top and Prepare for Baking. Gently place the top half of the Hawaiian rolls over the assembled beef and cheese layers. Next, take your melted butter and generously brush it over the entire surface of the top rolls. Finally, sprinkle the white sesame seeds evenly across the buttered tops. This not only adds a classic burger aesthetic but also a delightful nutty crunch.

6. Bake to Golden Perfection. Place the baking sheet with the assembled sliders into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, and the tops of the Hawaiian rolls are a lovely golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-toasting. Serve them warm straight from the oven and watch them disappear!

These steps combine to create a symphony of textures and flavors – the soft, sweet rolls, the savory, seasoned beef, and the irresistibly gooey cheese. The quick baking time ensures everything is heated through and the cheese is perfectly molten, making each slider a miniature masterpiece.

Make Ahead Instructions for Convenience

One of the fantastic advantages of these Hawaiian roll cheeseburger sliders is how easily they can be prepared in advance, making party planning or weeknight meal prep a breeze. You can fully assemble these sliders up to 24 hours before you plan to bake them. Once assembled, simply cover them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. This allows you to tackle most of the work well ahead of time, reducing stress when it’s time to serve.

For even greater time savings, the ground beef and onion soup mixture can be cooked up to 2 days in advance. After cooking and draining, allow the mixture to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge. When it’s time to assemble, simply spread the pre-cooked beef onto the rolls.

A crucial tip for make-ahead success: always wait to brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter until just before they go into the oven. Applying the butter too early can cause the rolls to become soggy in the fridge.

When you’re ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap, generously brush the rolls with the melted butter, and sprinkle them with sesame seeds. Since the sliders will be cold from refrigeration, you may need to adjust the baking time slightly. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the recommended baking time, ensuring the beef is thoroughly warmed through and the cheese achieves that perfect, irresistibly gooey consistency. Always check the internal temperature if you’re concerned, aiming for piping hot throughout.

How to Store and Reheat Cheeseburger Sliders

If by some miracle you have any leftover cheeseburger sliders (which is a rare occurrence!), proper storage and reheating can ensure they remain delicious for future enjoyment. I find that wrapping leftover sliders tightly in aluminum foil is the best method, as it creates a seal that keeps them moist and makes reheating incredibly convenient. Store these foil-wrapped sliders in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When it’s time to reheat, the oven is your best friend for restoring that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste and texture. Simply pop the foil-wrapped sliders into a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are warmed through and the cheese is soft again. Keeping them wrapped in foil throughout the reheating process helps to retain their moisture and prevents the rolls from drying out. However, if you prefer a slightly toastier top, you can remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking.

While a quick zap in the microwave will certainly warm them up if you’re in a hurry, be aware that the rolls might become a little chewier and the cheese less evenly melted. For the absolute best results that mimic their initial deliciousness, the oven method is highly recommended.

Best Sides to Serve with Cheeseburger Sliders

Cheeseburger sliders are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a wide array of side dishes, making them suitable for various occasions, from casual game days to fun family dinners. Their mini size and crowd-pleasing flavor profile make them a fantastic centerpiece for any spread.

For festive game days or large gatherings, I love serving these sliders as a main appetizer alongside other popular dishes that are easy to share. Consider pairing them with creamy slow cooker buffalo chicken dip, crispy homemade beer-battered onion rings, or a vibrant fresh salad to balance the richness. These combinations ensure there’s something for everyone and keep the party atmosphere lively.

When serving them for a family dinner, especially with little ones, these perfectly sized sliders are always a huge hit. My kids constantly ask for them! To create a balanced and satisfying meal, I typically serve them with fresh, crunchy veggies like carrot sticks or cucumber slices, and, of course, a generous batch of classic homemade French fries. A simple coleslaw or a light green salad would also make excellent additions.

And let’s not forget the dipping sauces – they can truly elevate these hamburger sliders on Hawaiian rolls to the next level! Offer a selection of condiments like classic ketchup, tangy mustard, a spicy ketchup for those who like a kick, rich beer cheese dip for an extra indulgence, or my personal favorite, creamy Thousand Island dressing. A variety of sauces allows everyone to customize their experience and discover their perfect flavor combination, making each bite even more enjoyable.