It all started when my kids and husband came home from youth group raving about “the best sandwiches they had ever had.” My husband, ever the food detective… he really is brilliant, rattled off a few ingredients, and I set to work figuring out the rest. What I discovered was a game-changer—gooey, buttery, flavorful ham and cheese sliders that are ridiculously easy to make and impossible to resist.
Now, these sliders are a go-to recipe in our home. Whether I’m feeding a house full of teenagers, bringing a dish to a potluck, or just making something quick for a busy weeknight, these sandwiches never disappoint. To be honest, I make these so much that I am kind of sick of them—but my family is not! It’s one of the few meals they will come home for and bring friends!
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Now put on your cutest apron because nobody wants melted butter on their clothes.
Why You’ll Love These Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Feeds a crowd – This recipe makes 36 sliders, but I usually make 32 since that’s how many come in a Costco pack of Hawaiian rolls. That can feed about 15 hungry teens!
- Make-ahead friendly – They refrigerate well and reheat beautifully for an easy snack or meal prep.
- Teen-approved – My kids and their friends devour these. Enough said.
- Ridiculously easy – Assemble, pour, bake. That’s it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 32-36 Hawaiian rolls (depending on what size packs you have access to)
- deli ham- thinner is better
- Swiss or cheddar cheese (or go half and half like I usually do)
- butter, melted
- Dijon mustard- you can use brown mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (That’s hard to say. I’m convinced no one actually knows how to pronounce it.)
- minced onion- This adds great texture and taste
- poppy seeds- you can leave these out if you don’t like them getting in your teeth… I kinda like it
How to Make Ham and Cheese Sliders
1. Assemble the Sliders
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half as a whole sheet (don’t pull them apart yet). Be careful not to cut yourself. It’s okay if they are not perfectly even, it will all work out in the end. Place the bottom half in a large, greased 18×13 half sheet pan. I love my high sided nordic ware sheet pan.
This is what my pan looks like:
Layer on the cheese first (I do half Swiss, half cheddar for the best of both worlds), followed by the ham. Place the top half of the rolls back on.
2. Make the Buttery Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, and poppy seeds. (Sometimes I save the poppy seeds and just sprinkle them on at the end before cooking. Both ways work)
3. Pour and Bake
Evenly pour the buttery sauce over the top of the sliders, making sure to coat them well. I use a spoon to put some on each roll making sure to get some of the onions on each one. Or you can use a brush to spread it evenly. Top with poppy seeds.
To be safe, cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for 5 more minutes until the tops are golden brown—I’ve been known to skip the foil, but if you are lazy like me, be very careful not to burn them!
4. Serve and Enjoy!
Let them cool for a couple of minutes, then slice and serve. We just slice them with a spatula. They’re best warm but also refrigerate well.
Serve these with my easy cucumber salad to get some veggies in there. I always appreciate something fresh paired with this buttery goodness!
Make-Ahead & Reheating Tips
- Make ahead: Assemble the sandwiches, then cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Prepare the sauce and drizzle it on when you are ready to bake. I’ve heard you can put the sauce on before refrigerating, but I haven’t tried it. If you do, let me know if it works or turns into a soggy mess.
- Reheat: Microwave individual sliders for about 30 seconds—perfect for an after-school snack!
- Store Leftovers: I put them in a gallon size ziplock bag in the refrigerator and my kids finish them off. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Final Thoughts
These ham and cheese sliders have earned a permanent spot in my recipe rotation. They’re buttery, cheesy, packed with flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd. I love that they bring people together—whether it’s youth group, game night, or just my own hungry family and all their friends.
Need some other meals to feed a crowd? Try my Simple Chicken Enchilada Soup or Easy Street Taco Bar (just pick up a rotisserie chicken and you don’t even need to fuss with it!)
Let me know if you try them! I’d love to hear if your family loves them as much as mine does.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Equipment
- 1 High sided half sheet pan I have Nordic Ware
- 1 bowl
Ingredients
- 36 Hawaiian rolls or 32 if you use the Costco pack
- 1 lb deli ham
- 18 slices cheese Swiss or cheddar or a combination of both
- 1 cup butter
- 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced onion heaping spoonful- a little extra is good
- 1 Tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉
- Spray a half sheet pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Slice the whole sheet of Hawaiian rolls in half. Put the bottom half into the pan.36 Hawaiian rolls
- Put a layer of cheese on the rolls and then a layer of ham. I fold the ham onto itself and overlap it. Use the entire pound. Then place the top of the rolls back on top of the ham and cheese.1 lb deli ham, 18 slices cheese
- Whisk up the butter mixture an pour it evenly over the top of the rolls. You can mix the poppy seeds in or sprinkle them at the end. I use a spoon to pour it on because the onion goodness sinks to the bottom. I don't want it to glop on just one spot at the end.1 cup butter, 2 Tbsp dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp minced onion, 1 Tbsp poppy seeds
- Bake for 20 minutes. You can put foil on top for 15 minutes and then remove it for the final 5. I often omit this step because I'm lazy. Just watch closely to make sure the sliders don't burn.
3 Comments
These are my go-to for feeding a bunch of teenagers. They are quick, simple, and everyone raves over them!
These are so easy and amazing!!!!
Thanks, Brooke! I’m glad you liked them!