Description
Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Sliders bring together the best of pizza night and burger cravings in one glorious handheld feast. The combination of seasoned beef, sweet rolls, and bubbling mozzarella creates an aroma that draws everyone to the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- Ingredients for the Seasoned Beef Patties:
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for the skillet)
- Ingredients for the Slider Assembly:
- 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian sweet rolls or mini slider brioche buns
- 1 cup rich marinara or classic pizza sauce
- 2 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced thin
- 2 ½ cups low-moisture whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (freshly grated pulls best)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Ingredients for the Garlic-Herb Butter Glaze:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- A pinch of garlic salt
Instructions
- Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Season & Form the Patties: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Divide and shape into 12 small, square or round patties slightly larger than your slider rolls (they will shrink slightly as they sear).
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the patties in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until deeply browned with a crisp crust and cooked through. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Prep the Buns & Dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Slice the entire sheet of 12 slider buns horizontally in half using a serrated knife, keeping the bottom buns attached in one slab. Place the bottom slab into the prepared baking dish.
- Build the Pizza Base: Spoon about 3 tablespoons of pizza sauce lightly over the bottom bun layer (this protects the bread while infusing flavor). Sprinkle with ½ cup of shredded mozzarella.
- Layer Patties & Fresh Tomatoes: Place one cooked beef patty over each slider square. Top each patty with a thin slice of fresh tomato.
- Sauce & Cheese Avalanche: Spoon the remaining pizza sauce generously over each patty and tomato slice. Blanket the entire top with the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Crown & Glaze: Place the top bun slab over the cheese blanket. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and garlic salt. Generously brush the garlic butter over the tops and sides of the buns.
- Bake to a Golden Bubble: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil (tented so it doesn’t stick to the buns) and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes until the cheese is completely melted. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 3–5 minutes until the tops of the buns are toasted golden brown and fragrant.
- Pull Apart & Serve: Let rest for 2 minutes to settle slightly, then lift and pull apart individual sliders to capture that massive, steamy cheese pull right on camera!
Notes
- Don’t overwork the beef. Gently mixing the seasonings keeps the patties tender and juicy instead of dense.
- Size matters. Shape the patties slightly larger than the rolls since they shrink during searing.
- Use freshly grated mozzarella. Pre-shredded bags often contain anti-caking agents that reduce the melt.
- Tent the foil loosely. This prevents the cheese from sticking while still trapping heat for even melting.
- Rest before pulling. Those two minutes of patience help the layers set so nothing slides apart.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: approximately 380
Keywords: sliders, pizza burger, cheesy, ground beef, mozzarella, sweet rolls, party food, weeknight dinner