Description
These Sloppy Joe Sliders are a delicious, family-friendly twist on the classic sloppy joe, made with lean ground beef, colorful bell peppers, and a tangy barbecue sauce. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and served on soft Hawaiian rolls, they are perfect for parties, game day, or a casual dinner. The sliders are baked to golden perfection with a buttery sesame seed topping, ensuring a warm, comforting meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Assembly and Toppings
- 12 slices cheddar cheese
- 12 count Hawaiian rolls
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Sesame seeds, for topping
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for topping
Instructions
- Cook the Beef and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, finely chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are softened.
- Drain Excess Grease: Once the beef is thoroughly cooked, drain off any excess grease to reduce fat content and keep the mixture from becoming too oily.
- Add Flavorings: Return the skillet to medium heat and add the minced garlic, barbecue sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to the browned beef and vegetables.
- Simmer the Mixture: Allow everything to cook together for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sloppy joe mixture has thickened slightly, melding the flavors perfectly.
- Preheat the Oven: While the meat mixture simmers, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the sliders.
- Prepare the Rolls: Carefully slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Place 6 slices of cheddar cheese on the bottom halves of the rolls, creating a cheesy base for the sloppy joe filling.
- Add the Sloppy Joe Filling: Spoon the warm sloppy joe mixture evenly over the cheese on the bottom halves of the rolls.
- Top with Cheese and Buns: Place the remaining 6 slices of cheddar cheese over the sloppy joe mixture, then cover with the top halves of the rolls to assemble the sliders.
- Add Butter and Toppings: Brush the tops of the buns with the melted butter, then sprinkle with sesame seeds and freshly chopped parsley for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Bake the Sliders: Place the assembled sliders on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve Immediately: Remove the sliders from the oven and serve hot for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Feel free to add hot sauce or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free rolls or buns.
- These sliders freeze well; assemble but do not bake before freezing.
- Use a mixture of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese for a different flavor profile.
