These Sloppy Joe Sliders are made with homemade sloppy joe filling and cheddar cheese on soft Hawaiian rolls, then brushed with garlic parsley butter and baked until hot and melty.
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Sloppy joes are a classic that take me right back to my childhood. They’re easy to make, family-friendly, and loved by so many people.
My homemade sloppy joe mixture is an old-fashioned recipe made with ketchup, fresh vegetables, and simple spices. It’s super easy to make and uses pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
And you don’t have to just pile sloppy joe filling onto a bun! There are so many ways to change it up. I use it to make my Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread and Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole, and I’ve even taken the same concept and turned it into One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Homemade sloppy joe filling instead of canned sauce.
- Sweet Hawaiian rolls + savory beef filling.
- Cheddar gets gooey between the meat and rolls.
- Easy way to feed a family or crowd.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: I use lean ground beef, but regular ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken will also work.
- Hawaiian rolls: We prefer Hawaiian rolls, but you can use any packaged dinner rolls that come 12 to a package and are connected.
- Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts best, but pre-shredded cheese is an easy shortcut.
- Sloppy joe sauce ingredients: The homemade sauce is made simply with ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Garlic butter: Melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley make an easy topping that adds extra flavor.
How Sloppy Joe Sliders with Cheddar Cheese Come Together
Here is a quick overview of the main steps. Scroll or jump down to the recipe card below for the complete instructions.
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Add the sloppy joe filling. Make the homemade sloppy joe mixture and spread it evenly over the bottom half of the rolls.
Add the cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over the sloppy joe filling. Add the tops of the rolls, brush with garlic butter, and bake.
Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Sliders
- Keep the rolls attached while slicing and assembling.
- Spread the filling all the way to the edges so every slider gets some.
Frequently Asked Questions
A sloppy joe slider is a smaller, baked version of a traditional sloppy joe sandwich. Sloppy joe filling and cheese are layered between slider rolls, then baked together and cut apart for serving.
Yes. You can replace the homemade sloppy joe sauce with your favorite canned sauce. Prepare it with the ground beef according to the package directions, then assemble and bake the sliders as directed.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave or covered in foil in a 350°F oven until heated through.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joe Sliders
We like to serve these sliders with a simple potato side dish like steak fries or sweet potato fries. For an easy make-ahead option, try my potato salad or macaroni salad.
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Sloppy Joe Sliders with Cheddar Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ¼ cup onion
- ¼ cup green bell pepper
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablsepoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package Hawaiian dinner rolls 12 each
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablsepoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Chop the onion, green pepper, and garlic.
- In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and green pepper until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Reduce to medium heat if the beef cooks too quickly.
- Once the beef is browned, add the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; reduce to low heat and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes.
- Slice the rolls in half without separating them. A serrated knife works best.
- Spoon the meat mixture evenly over the bottom rolls.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the meat mixture, then add the top half of the rolls.
- In a small bowl, melt the butter and mix with the garlic powder and dried parsley. Brush the tops of the rolls with the garlic butter.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a 400°F oven for 11–13 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 2–3 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.