Craving everything you love about a classic Sloppy Joe, but in a fun, shareable bite? Meet these Sloppy Joe Sliders. They’re saucy, savory, and baked together so you can set a pan on the table and watch them disappear. The filling cooks in one skillet, the rolls stay tender on top and lightly crisp on the bottom, and the whole tray is ready fast. If you need a family-friendly dinner or an easy game-day option, Sloppy Joe Sliders deliver all that sweet-tangy comfort with minimal fuss.
Why You’ll Love It
These sliders pack all the cozy, nostalgic flavor into small, pull-apart sandwiches that are perfect for sharing. The stovetop sauce thickens nicely for a not-too-messy bite, and the bake time keeps the rolls warm and soft. It’s a dependable weeknight saver and a crowd-pleaser for potlucks.
Sloppy Joe Sliders
A tray of soft Hawaiian rolls filled with a hearty, sweet-tangy Sloppy Joe mixture. Easy to assemble, bake, and serve, these sliders are ideal for busy nights or parties.
Ingredients
- 1–1.25 pounds ground beef, 454–567 g
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- ⅓ cup green pepper, chopped, about 80 ml
- ¾ cup ketchup, 177 ml
- 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard, 15 ml
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 15 ml
- ¼ cup water, 60 ml
- One package of sweet Hawaiian dinner rolls
- Cooking spray
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the filling. Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, celery, and green pepper. Cook, breaking the meat into small crumbles, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are soft, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Tip: Smaller crumbles make neater sliders. - Make it saucy. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and water. Mix well, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
Tip: You want a spoonable, not runny, consistency. - Preheat the oven. Heat to 350°F.
- Prep the rolls. Spray a 9×13-inch or similarly sized baking pan. If needed, use a serrated knife to split the connected dinner rolls horizontally so you have one sheet of bottoms and one sheet of tops. Keep individual rolls connected.
- Assemble. Set the bottom sheet of rolls in the pan. Spread the Sloppy Joe mixture evenly over the bread. Cap with the top sheet of rolls.
- Bake. Bake 10 minutes uncovered. Cover the pan with foil and bake 10 minutes more.
- Serve. Transfer to a board and use a sharp knife to cut through each roll. The bottom is crusty, so be sure to cut all the way through to avoid a mess. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- A package of dinner rolls is usually about 7×9 inches. Choose a pan just a bit larger to make cutting and lifting easier.
- An 8×11-inch pan works great, and the standard 9×13-inch pan also works well.
- Nutrition data provided below does not include the dinner rolls.
Recipe Metadata
- Yield: Serves 12
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Course: Appetizer, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutritional Information (estimate, per serving)
Calories: 118 kcal, Carbohydrates: 6 g, Protein: 7 g, Fat: 8 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 27 mg, Sodium: 195 mg, Potassium: 179 mg, Fiber: 0.3 g, Sugar: 4 g, Vitamin A: 96 IU, Vitamin C: 5 mg, Calcium: 14 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Note: Values exclude the dinner rolls.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make-ahead party tray: Cook the filling, cool, assemble in the pan, cover, and refrigerate up to 1 day. Bake as directed, adding a couple of minutes if chilled.
- Kid-friendly sweetness: Choose a slightly sweeter ketchup if your crew prefers a milder tang.
- Spice lovers: Add your favorite hot sauce at the table so everyone can control the heat.
What are my best tips for Sloppy Joe Sliders?
- How thick should the filling be? Aim for thick and glossy so it sits nicely in the rolls without soaking through.
- How do I keep rolls tender? The two-stage bake helps, first to warm and set the top, then to cover to keep the bread soft.
- Neat slices? Let the pan rest 3 to 5 minutes, then use a long serrated knife to cut all the way through the bottom crust.
- Serving a crowd? Build two pans side by side and rotate them halfway for even heating.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Cool leftovers, then cover and store up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm, covered, at 300°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until heated through. The microwave works in a pinch for individual sliders, about 30 to 45 seconds.
FAQ
What are Sloppy Joe sliders?
They’re mini sandwiches made by baking connected dinner rolls filled with classic Sloppy Joe meat, then cutting into individual portions.
What is the Sloppy Joe sauce made of?
This version uses ketchup, prepared yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of water for the right texture, giving you that signature sweet-tangy flavor.
What is the secret to a good Sloppy Joe?
Deeply browning the meat and simmering the sauce until slightly thick gives you rich flavor and a less messy bite.
What exactly is a Sloppy Joe?
It’s a seasoned, saucy ground-beef sandwich with a sweet-tangy profile, a beloved American classic that’s quick and satisfying.
Conclusion
Warm, saucy, and simple to serve, Sloppy Joe Sliders are a weeknight hero and party favorite you’ll make again and again. Set out a pan, add a simple salad or chips, and dinner is done.
Tried these Sloppy Joe Sliders? Leave a comment and tell me how your pan turned out, and share with a friend who loves easy, cozy dinners!
Print
Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 12
Description
A tray of soft Hawaiian rolls filled with a hearty, sweet-tangy Sloppy Joe mixture. Easy to assemble, bake, and serve, these sliders are ideal for busy nights or parties.
Ingredients
- 1–1.25 pounds ground beef (454–567 g)
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- ⅓ cup green pepper, chopped (about 80 ml)
- ¾ cup ketchup (177 ml)
- 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard (15 ml)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15 ml)
- ¼ cup water (60 ml)
- One package of sweet Hawaiian dinner rolls
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Cook the filling. Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, celery, and green pepper. Cook, breaking the meat into small crumbles, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are soft, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Tip: Smaller crumbles make neater sliders.
- Make it saucy. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and water. Mix well, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Tip: You want a spoonable, not runny, consistency.
- Preheat the oven. Heat to 350°F (177°C).
- Prep the rolls. Spray a 9×13-inch or similarly sized baking pan. If needed, use a serrated knife to split the connected dinner rolls horizontally so you have one sheet of bottoms and one sheet of tops. Keep individual rolls connected.
- Assemble. Set the bottom sheet of rolls in the pan. Spread the Sloppy Joe mixture evenly over the bread. Cap with the top sheet of rolls.
- Bake. Bake 10 minutes uncovered. Cover the pan with foil and bake 10 minutes more.
- Serve. Transfer to a board and use a sharp knife to cut through each roll. The bottom is crusty, so be sure to cut all the way through to avoid a mess. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- A package of dinner rolls is usually about 7×9 inches. Choose a pan just a bit larger to make cutting and lifting easier.
- An 8×11-inch pan works great, and the standard 9×13-inch pan also works well.
- Nutrition data provided below does not include the dinner rolls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 118 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 195 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
