Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef. Cook the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat, 6-7 minutes, breaking into fine crumbles. Drain the fat.
- Make it sloppy. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes until thick and saucy — it should mound on a spoon, not run.
- Assemble the slab. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Without separating the rolls, slice the whole slab in half horizontally. Place the bottoms in a baking dish, pile on the beef, sprinkle with cheddar, and cap with the tops.
- Bake and pull apart. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts and the tops are golden. Pull apart and serve.
🧀 Slider science
The sauce must be thick — watery sloppy joe mix soaks the rolls. Simmer until it mounds on a spoon. Keeping the rolls connected in a slab makes assembly take 2 minutes flat. These are best fresh but reheat well covered in foil.
Save for later
Love this recipe?
Save it to your "Easy Dinner Recipes" board so this retro party minis is always one click away.
📌 Pin it for later❓ Common questions
Can I make the beef ahead?
Yes — cook the sloppy joe mixture up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate; assemble and bake when ready.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes — ground turkey or chicken work great; add an extra tablespoon of ketchup since they're leaner.
How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
Thick sauce is key, plus a thin layer of cheese under the beef acts as a moisture barrier.