Sloppy Joe Sliders with Cheddar and Buttery Topping

When it comes to crowd-pleasing comfort food, few things beat the classic combination of savory ground beef, tangy sauce, and melted cheese nestled in soft, sweet rolls. These Sloppy Joe Sliders take everything you love about traditional sloppy joes and transform them into perfectly portioned, party-ready bites that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, planning a casual family dinner, or looking for an easy potluck contribution, these sliders deliver big flavor with minimal effort. The secret lies in the buttery topping that gets brushed over the Hawaiian rolls before baking, creating a golden, slightly crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the saucy filling inside.

What Makes These Sliders Special

Unlike traditional sloppy joes served on individual buns, these sliders are assembled all at once on a sheet pan, making them incredibly efficient for feeding a crowd. The Hawaiian sweet rolls add a subtle sweetness that balances the tangy, savory meat mixture, while the cheddar cheese melts into gooey perfection during baking.

The buttery glaze is where these sliders truly shine. Made with melted butter, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, this topping adds layers of flavor and creates an irresistible golden-brown finish. The sesame seeds sprinkled on top add a slight crunch and visual appeal that makes these sliders look as good as they taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sliders

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls (one standard package)
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
• 15-ounce can of Manwich original sloppy joe sauce
• 8 slices of cheddar cheese (medium or sharp, based on preference)

For the Buttery Topping

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• Chopped fresh parsley, optional for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing Your Workspace

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. This moderate temperature ensures the sliders heat through evenly while allowing the tops to develop that coveted golden-brown color without burning. Line a standard baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup effortless.

Cooking the Beef Mixture

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks, ensuring it browns evenly throughout. This process typically takes 7 to 10 minutes. You’ll know the beef is ready when no pink remains and the meat has developed a nice brown color.

Once fully cooked, drain any excess grease from the pan. This step is important because too much fat can make your sliders soggy and overly greasy. Simply tilt the pan and carefully spoon out the rendered fat, or use a colander if you prefer.

Return the skillet to the stove and reduce the heat to low. Pour in the entire can of Manwich sauce and stir well to combine with the beef. Let this mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld together and ensures the sauce is heated through completely.

Assembling the Sliders

While your meat mixture simmers, it’s time to prepare the Hawaiian rolls. Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully slice the entire block of rolls in half horizontally. The key here is to keep both the top and bottom halves intact as single pieces rather than separating them into individual rolls. This makes assembly much easier and ensures your sliders bake evenly.

Place the bottom half of the rolls onto your prepared baking sheet. The rolls should fit snugly on a standard sheet pan, creating a perfect base for your sliders.

Spread the sloppy joe mixture evenly across the bottom layer of rolls, making sure to distribute it all the way to the edges. You want every bite to have a generous amount of filling, so don’t be shy about spreading it thoroughly.

Next, arrange the cheddar cheese slices over the meat mixture. Depending on the size of your cheese slices, you may need to overlap them slightly or tear them to ensure complete coverage. The goal is to create a blanket of cheese that will melt over the entire surface during baking.

Carefully place the top half of the rolls over the cheese layer, completing your slider assembly. At this point, they should look like one large sandwich that will later be cut into individual portions.

Creating the Signature Buttery Topping

In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. This should take about 30 seconds in the microwave, but you can also melt it on the stovetop if you prefer. To the melted butter, add the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and the brown sugar has dissolved completely.

This butter mixture is what sets these sliders apart from ordinary versions. The brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness and helps with caramelization, the Dijon mustard provides a hint of tang, and the Worcestershire sauce contributes savory umami depth.

Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, brush this butter mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls. Make sure to cover the entire surface, paying special attention to the edges and corners. The butter will soak into the rolls slightly and create a beautiful golden crust during baking.

Sprinkle the sesame seeds evenly over the buttered tops. These add a subtle nutty flavor and give the sliders a professional, bakery-style appearance.

Baking to Perfection

Place the assembled sliders in your preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are golden brown and you can see the cheese beginning to ooze slightly at the sides. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes.

Serving Your Sliders

Once baked, remove the sliders from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes. This brief resting period allows the cheese to set slightly, making them easier to cut and preventing burns when eating.

Transfer the entire block of sliders to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice along the natural seams between the rolls to separate them into individual portions. You should end up with 12 perfectly portioned sliders.

If desired, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Arrange the sliders on a serving platter and serve while still warm.

Tips for Success

For the juiciest sliders, avoid using extra-lean ground beef. A blend with some fat content, like 80/20, provides better flavor and moisture. If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture or use spicy Manwich sauce. These sliders can be assembled up to 2 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold. Leftovers reheat beautifully in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes.