Chef Jake Thompson - Comfort Food Specialist
👨‍🍳 Party Food Expert

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Culinary Arts Graduate ⏰ 18+ Years Experience 🍽️ Crowd-Pleasing Specialist

❤️ My Recipe Story

"These stuffed sliders were born from a Super Bowl party where I wanted something more exciting than regular sliders. By stuffing the beef and cheese inside connected buns and coating them with garlic butter, I created the ultimate crowd-pleaser that disappears in minutes every single time."

Jake specializes in creating party-perfect comfort foods that are as easy to make as they are delicious to eat. His recipes focus on maximum flavor with minimal fuss, ensuring hosts can enjoy their own gatherings while still serving showstopping food.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Golden-brown cheesy beef stuffed slider buns with garlic butter glaze, showing melted cheese and seasoned beef filling, arranged on a serving platter

The Art of Perfect Stuffed Sliders

The genius of these stuffed sliders lies in keeping the buns connected while assembling, creating a pull-apart effect that makes serving effortless. The double-cheese layer ensures every bite has that irresistible cheese pull, while the seasoned beef provides savory satisfaction that keeps everyone coming back for more.

The garlic butter coating transforms ordinary slider buns into something extraordinary. As it bakes, the butter seeps into the bread, creating a golden, crispy top while keeping the inside soft and pillowy. The combination of garlic, herbs, and Parmesan adds restaurant-quality flavor to this simple party food.

💡 Professional Tip

Keep the slider buns connected in their original packaging shape while slicing and assembling. This makes handling easier and ensures even distribution of filling. Use a sharp serrated knife and steady pressure to slice through all the buns at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Assemble the sliders completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator. Apply garlic butter just before baking for best results.

Hawaiian sweet rolls are ideal for their soft texture and slight sweetness that balances the savory filling. Regular dinner rolls or potato rolls also work excellently. Look for buns that come connected in a single package.

Yes! Assemble completely but don't add garlic butter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, brush with garlic butter, and bake as directed.

Make sure to drain the beef well after browning and let it cool slightly before assembling. Don't over-sauce the meat. The foil covering prevents the tops from drying out while keeping moisture from making the buns soggy.

Try pepper jack for heat, Swiss for nuttiness, or provolone for a milder flavor. A blend of sharp cheddar and Gouda creates amazing depth. Avoid pre-shredded cheese if possible as it doesn't melt as smoothly.

Absolutely! Substitute the ground beef with seasoned black beans, lentils, or plant-based ground meat. Add sautéed mushrooms and peppers for extra texture and flavor. The cheese and garlic butter remain the same.

Reheat in a 325°F oven covered with foil for 10-12 minutes until warmed through. Individual sliders can be microwaved for 30-45 seconds, though the buns won't be as crispy. Air fryer works great at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.

Serve with pickles, coleslaw, potato chips, french fries, or a simple green salad. Dipping sauces like special sauce, ranch, or sriracha mayo are perfect alongside. They're substantial enough to be a main course.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Dry Filling

Problem: Beef filling turns out dry

Solution: Use 80/20 ground beef for proper fat content. Don't overcook the beef. Add cheese while beef is still warm to create moisture. Consider adding a tablespoon of beef broth if mixture seems dry.

✅

Burnt Tops

Problem: Bun tops burn before cheese melts

Solution: Keep foil on for the full first 15 minutes. If tops brown too quickly, tent with foil again. Lower oven temperature to 325°F and extend cooking time. Brush with butter more lightly.

✅

Cheese Not Melted

Problem: Cheese in the middle isn't fully melted

Prevention: Ensure filling is still slightly warm when assembling. Extend covered baking time by 5 minutes. Use freshly shredded cheese which melts better than pre-shredded. Let sliders rest 5 minutes after baking.

✅

Difficult to Slice

Problem: Can't cut through buns evenly or sliders fall apart

Recovery: Use a long serrated knife with a sawing motion. Let sliders cool 5 minutes before cutting so cheese sets slightly. Cut all the way through in one motion following the original bun separations.

✅

Soggy Bottom Buns

Problem: Bottom buns are soggy and falling apart

Prevention: Drain beef thoroughly and let cool 5 minutes. Don't add excess liquid to the filling. Use a slightly deeper baking dish if needed. Toast bottom buns lightly before assembling for extra protection.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, or a pinch of cayenne to the beef

Too Salty: Serve with fresh lettuce and tomato, or a squeeze of lemon juice

Bland: Increase garlic in both filling and butter, add more Worcestershire sauce, or use sharp cheddar

Ingredients for stuffed sliders including ground beef, slider buns, shredded cheese, garlic, butter, and seasonings arranged on a counter

Selecting Quality Ingredients

The foundation of exceptional stuffed sliders starts with quality ground beef. An 80/20 blend provides the perfect balance of flavor and moisture without being overly greasy. The fat content is essential for keeping the filling juicy and flavorful throughout baking.

Fresh slider buns make all the difference - look for soft, pillowy Hawaiian rolls or dinner rolls that are still connected in their original packaging. The slight sweetness of Hawaiian rolls creates a perfect contrast with the savory beef and cheese filling, while their soft texture absorbs the garlic butter beautifully.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Ground Beef: Choose freshly ground beef with good color and no gray spots. The 80/20 fat ratio is ideal - leaner beef will result in dry filling. For best flavor, bring meat to room temperature before cooking.
  • Cheese Selection: Shred cheese from blocks rather than buying pre-shredded for superior melting and flavor. The combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella provides both flavor and that coveted cheese pull.
  • Fresh Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for both the filling and butter - pre-minced jarred garlic lacks the robust flavor needed. Mince garlic finely so it distributes evenly throughout the dish.
Assembled cheesy beef sliders in a baking dish being brushed with golden garlic butter before baking, showing the stuffed interior

Mastering the Assembly Technique

The secret to perfectly stuffed sliders is methodical assembly. Keeping the buns connected throughout the process ensures even distribution and makes serving foolproof. The horizontal slicing technique requires a sharp serrated knife and confidence - saw gently through the entire block in one smooth motion.

The garlic butter application is crucial for achieving that golden, flavorful crust. Brush generously, making sure to get into all the crevices between buns. The initial covered baking steams the sliders and melts the cheese, while the uncovered finish creates that irresistible crispy, buttery top.

The Perfect Slice

Place the connected buns on a cutting board. Using a long serrated knife, hold the top steady with one hand while sawing horizontally through the entire block with the other. Keep the knife parallel to the board for an even cut.

Cheesy Beef Stuffed Slider Buns with Garlic

Prep 30 min
Cook 25 min
Serves 12 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Beef Filling

  • 115g butter, melted
    Creates golden, crispy topping
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    For aromatic butter coating
  • 15ml fresh parsley, chopped
    Adds color and freshness
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
    Herb blend for complexity
  • 60g grated Parmesan cheese
    Adds umami and helps browning
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
    For texture and visual appeal

For the Garlic Butter Topping

  • 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls)
    Must be connected in package
  • 680g ground beef (80/20 blend)
    Perfect fat ratio for juiciness
  • 340g shredded cheddar cheese
    Sharp cheddar preferred
  • 115g shredded mozzarella
    Creates cheese pull effect
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
    Adds sweetness and moisture
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    For the beef filling
  • 30ml Worcestershire sauce
    Adds umami depth
  • 15ml Dijon mustard
    Provides tang and complexity

Instructions

  1. Prepare Beef Filling

    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and diced onion for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in half of the cheddar cheese until melted.

  2. Prepare Buns

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Without separating the rolls, slice the entire block of slider buns horizontally in half using a serrated knife. Place the bottom half in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

  3. Assemble Sliders

    Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the bottom buns. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and all the mozzarella cheese over the beef. Place the top half of the buns over the cheese layer, creating a giant sandwich.

  4. Make Garlic Butter

    In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Generously brush the entire top of the buns with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.

  5. Bake and Serve

    Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 8-10 minutes until the tops are golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for 3-5 minutes, then slice along the original bun lines to create individual sliders. Serve warm with pickles and your favorite condiments.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Make-Ahead Tips

Assemble sliders completely up to 24 hours ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Brush with garlic butter just before baking. Add 5-10 extra minutes to covered baking time if baking cold from the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with pickles, potato chips, coleslaw, or a simple garden salad. Offer condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayo, or special sauce on the side. Perfect for game day, parties, or casual family dinners.

Variations

Try different cheeses like pepper jack, Swiss, or Gouda. Add jalapeños or banana peppers for heat. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Add crispy bacon to the filling for extra indulgence. Use everything bagel seasoning instead of sesame seeds for a flavor twist.