These cheesy roast beef sliders on Hawaiian rolls are the ultimate easy dinner recipe or party appetizer. Tender layers of roast beef, melty cheese, and a zesty sauce come together in just 30 minutes for a dish that's both simple and delicious.
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These cheesy roast beef sliders were so easy to make and absolutely delicious—perfect for busy weeknights!
- Barb K.
Bailey's Thoughts ...
These cheddar roast beef sliders are the glow-up of a recipe I’ve been making for years. The original full-sized sandwiches had one fatal flaw: Joe’s obsession with more meat. Piling on the roast beef made them impossible to bake evenly, leaving cold centers. Sliders fixed everything—better meat-to-bun ratio, evenly baked, and undeniably adorable.
And let me tell you, these sliders deliver. Soft, buttery Hawaiian rolls act as the perfect base, soaking up the zesty, garlicky mayo sauce like a dream. Then it’s all about layers: tender roast beef and creamy cheddar for that gooey, melty finish. Top buns brushed with melted butter and finished with sesame seeds bring it all together, baking up to golden-brown perfection.
To make things even easier, you can assemble these sliders up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate them, or freeze them for later. When you're ready, just pop them in the oven—no extra prep required.
PS - These cheddar roast beef sliders pair perfectly with a side of jalapeño popper dip and chips + veggies!
Ingredients
Hawaiian King Rolls - Buy rolls attached as one block; single rolls won’t work for this recipe.
Roast Beef - Opt for thinly sliced deli roast beef for even layering. Freshly sliced from the deli counter works best.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese - Go for freshly shredded cheddar for better melting and flavor.
Butter - Use unsalted butter for brushing the tops of the rolls.
Sesame Seeds - Add these for a bit of crunch and visual appeal.
Mayo - Choose full-fat mayo for the richest, creamiest sauce.
Garlic - Use Dorot’s frozen minced garlic for convenience and fresh flavor without the hassle of peeling and chopping.
Poppy Seeds - Poppy seeds add a nutty flavor and a bit of crunch but can be skipped if you don’t have them on hand.
Spicy Mustard - A high-quality Dijon mustard works well here.
Horseradish - Use prepared horseradish, not horseradish sauce.
Worcestershire Sauce - Adds a rich, savory depth to the slider sauce.
Hot Sauce - Use your favorite brand; something mild like Frank’s RedHot adds just enough kick without overpowering.
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce by mixing mayo, garlic, poppy seeds, mustard, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Slice the block of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the top and bottom intact. Place the bottom half on a parchment or aluminum foil lined baking sheet or baking dish.
- Spread half the sauce on the cut side of the bottom rolls.
- Layer with roast beef, and then shredded cheddar.
- Spread the remaining sauce on the cut side of the top rolls and place them over the layers. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using.
- Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until golden brown and then slice and serve warm.
Top Tip
Top Tip: For the best flavor, use freshly sliced roast beef from the deli counter and assemble the sliders up to 24 hours ahead. Refrigerating them allows the sauce to soak into the rolls, making every bite even more flavorful!
Substitutions
Hawaiian King Rolls: Substitute with any soft dinner rolls or brioche rolls.
Roast beef: Use thinly sliced turkey, ham or chicken.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Use shredded mozzarella, provolone cheese, Swiss cheese or Monterey Jack.
Butter: Replace with olive oil.
Sesame seeds: Omit if preferred.
Mayo: Substitute with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Minced garlic: Use ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon garlic paste as a quick substitute.
Poppy seeds: Omit if unavailable or sub for a bagel seasoning blend.
Spicy mustard: Use Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, or regular yellow mustard for a milder flavor.
Horseradish: Substitute with extra mustard or a small amount of wasabi paste for similar heat.
Worcestershire sauce: Use soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos.
Hot sauce: Substitute with a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Variations
Cooking for a Crowd: This recipe makes 12 sliders, but it’s easy to double or triple. You can assemble them ahead and keep them in the fridge overnight, so they’re ready to bake and serve when you need them.
Kid-Friendly: The sauce has a bold flavor, so if you’re serving kids or picky eaters, consider making a separate batch with just the meat and cheese. You can also skip the sesame seeds on top if they’re not a hit with younger eaters.
Nut-Free: Already is!
Gluten-Free: Swap out the King’s Hawaiian Rolls for a gluten-free alternative like Schär or Canyon Bakehouse dinner rolls, or any other gluten-free slider buns you prefer.
Dairy-Free: Replace the cheddar cheese with a dairy-free option like Daiya or Violife, and swap the butter for a plant-based margarine or vegan butter alternative.
Power Up: For an extra protein boost, add a layer of thinly sliced turkey or ham along with the roast beef, or tuck in a few slices of cooked bacon for added flavor and protein.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store baked or unbaked sliders in an airtight container or wrap tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Baked sliders will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. Unbaked sliders can be stored for up to 1 day before baking. To reheat baked sliders, place them in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10–15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Freezer: Assemble the sliders according to the recipe directions, but do not add the sesame seeds or bake. Wrap the entire pan tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil, or place in a freezer-safe airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2–3 months.
Reheating Frozen Sliders: When ready to serve, let the sliders thaw in the fridge overnight. Before baking, brush with melted butter and sprinkle on sesame seeds (if using). Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, or until heated through.
FAQ: Roast Beef Sandwiches on Hawaiian Rolls
Yes, you can skip the sauce and just layer the meat and cheese. They’re still delicious and perfect for picky eaters or kids.
Chips, a veggie tray, fruit salad, or coleslaw all pair well with these sandwiches.
After baking, cover the sliders loosely with foil to keep them warm. You can also keep them in a low oven (around 200°F) until ready to serve.
Recipe
Cheddar And Roast Beef Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
Description
These cheesy roast beef sliders on Hawaiian rolls are the ultimate easy dinner recipe or party appetizer. Tender layers of roast beef, melty cheddar cheese, and a zesty sauce come together in just 30 minutes for a dish that's both simple and delicious.
Ingredients
For the Sliders:
- Hawaiian King Rolls (12 rolls, keep attached as one block)
- Roast beef (1 lb, thinly sliced)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup)
- Butter (1 tbsp, melted)
- Sesame seeds (½ tbsp, optional)
For The Special Sauce:
- Mayo (¼ cup)
- Garlic (1 tbsp, minced)
- Poppy seeds (1 tbsp)
- Spicy mustard (1 tbsp)
- Horseradish (1 tbsp)
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tsp)
- Hot sauce (½ tsp)
- Salt (¼ tsp)
- Pepper (¼ tsp)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven (2 minutes): Set your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking, or use foil lightly coated with cooking spray or butter.
-
Make the Special Sauce (5 minutes): In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup mayo, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, 1 tablespoon spicy mustard, 1 tablespoon horseradish, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon hot sauce, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix until well blended and set aside.
- Prepare the Rolls (3 minutes): With a sharp knife, carefully slice the block of 12 Hawaiian Rolls in half horizontally, keeping the top and bottom halves intact. Place the bottom half of the rolls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Assemble the Sliders (5 minutes): Spread half of the special sauce over the bottom layer of rolls on the baking sheet. Layer 1 lb roast beef over the sauce. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the roast beef. Spread the remaining sauce on the cut side of the top half of the rolls, then place it over the assembled sliders.
- Brush and Top (2 minutes): Brush the 1 tablespoon melted butter over the tops of the rolls, then sprinkle with ½ tablespoon sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake (10–12 minutes): Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
- Serve (1 minute): Once baked, remove from the oven, slice into individual sliders, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
Cooking for a Crowd: This recipe makes 12 sliders, but it’s easy to double or triple. You can assemble them ahead and keep them in the fridge overnight, so they’re ready to bake and serve when you need them.
Kid-Friendly: The sauce has a bold flavor, so if you’re serving kids or picky eaters, consider making a separate batch with just the meat and cheese. You can also skip the sesame seeds on top if they’re not a hit with younger eaters.
Nut-Free: Already is!
Gluten-Free: Swap out the King’s Hawaiian Rolls for a gluten-free alternative like Schär or Canyon Bakehouse dinner rolls, or any other gluten-free slider buns you prefer.
Dairy-Free: Replace the cheddar cheese with a dairy-free option like Daiya or Violife, and swap the butter for a plant-based margarine or vegan butter alternative.
Power Up: For an extra protein boost, add a layer of thinly sliced turkey or ham along with the roast beef, or tuck in a few slices of cooked bacon for added flavor and protein.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Easy Recipe
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 267
- Sugar: 3.4 g
- Sodium: 441 mg
- Fat: 12.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.3 g
- Protein: 14.9 g
- Cholesterol: 43.3 mg
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