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These beef and cheddar sliders happened when I was trying to recreate those Arby's sandwiches my husband was always craving but without having to drive across town every time. I had some deli roast beef that needed using up and remembered how good those Hawaiian rolls were for sliders. The idea of making mini versions with that gooey cheese sauce seemed perfect for a quick dinner that would actually satisfy everyone. After some experimenting with the butter topping and baking times, we created these incredible little sandwiches that taste just like the restaurant version but feed the whole family for way less money.
My neighbor Kim made these for her son's birthday party and said they were the only food that actually got finished. Eight ten-year-old boys demolished the entire tray and kept asking if there were more. She was amazed because usually at kid parties, most of the food goes to waste, but these disappeared completely. Now she makes them for every gathering because she knows they'll be a hit.
Simple Ingredient Guide
- King's Hawaiian rolls essential: The sweet bread is what makes these special and different from regular sliders
- Quality deli roast beef: Don't use the processed lunch meat, get actual sliced roast beef from the deli counter
- Canned cheddar cheese sauce: Saves time and has the right consistency for these sliders without making sauce from scratch
- Real butter for topping: Makes the tops golden and crispy while adding rich flavor
- Arby's sauce authenticity: The actual sauce makes these taste like the restaurant version instead of generic
- Minced onions texture: Adds little flavor bursts and makes the butter topping more interesting
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Easy Assembly Process
- Preparing the foundation
- Start by slicing the connected Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping both the top and bottom halves intact as single units. Place the bottom half in a greased baking dish or on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Building the meat layer
- Distribute the roast beef evenly across all twelve slider positions on the bottom rolls. Don't worry about making it look perfect - just make sure each spot gets a good amount of meat so every bite has plenty of filling.
- Adding the cheese component
- Scoop about a tablespoon of cheddar cheese sauce onto each slider position over the roast beef. The sauce will spread and melt during baking, so don't stress about perfect coverage right now. You'll probably use about half the can for twelve sliders.
- Sauce and topping placement
- Drizzle Arby's sauce over the cheese sauce according to your family's taste preferences. Some people love lots of sauce, others prefer just a little. Place the top half of the rolls over everything, creating a complete slider tray.
- Creating seasoned butter
- Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and stir in minced onions, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined. This seasoned butter is what makes the tops golden and flavorful instead of just plain.
- Final preparation steps
- Brush the seasoned butter mixture evenly over the tops of all the rolls, making sure to get complete coverage. Sprinkle extra minced onions on top if you want more texture and flavor. The butter helps everything brown beautifully.
- Baking to perfection
- Bake at 350 degrees for ten to twelve minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes since ovens vary and you don't want them to burn.
My first batch was way too saucy because I used the whole can of cheese sauce, which made them impossible to pick up without everything sliding out. I also tried to cut them into individual pieces before baking, which was a huge mistake that made assembly ten times harder. Keeping things simple and using restraint with the sauces made all the difference.
Perfect Serving Ideas
Serve these immediately while they're hot and the cheese is still gooey. Cut them apart just before serving so everyone gets a perfect individual slider. They're great with chips and pickles on the side, or just by themselves since they're pretty filling. Extra Arby's sauce for dipping is always a hit too.
Making Them Different
You can switch up the meat and use turkey or ham instead of roast beef for variety. Some people like adding thinly sliced onions or pickles to the sliders before baking. For spice lovers, try using spicy brown mustard instead of or along with the Arby's sauce. Different cheese sauces work too if you want to experiment.
Storage and Leftovers
These taste best right out of the oven while everything's hot and melty. Leftovers keep okay in the fridge for a couple days, but reheating never quite gets that perfect texture back. If you do reheat them, use the oven rather than the microwave to keep the tops from getting soggy.
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These beef and cheddar sliders have become our go-to dinner when everyone's tired but still wants something that tastes good. They hit all those comfort food notes without requiring any real cooking skills or complicated ingredients. My family requests them specifically now when we want something easy but satisfying, and I love how they make a regular weeknight feel a little bit special.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use different types of roast beef?
- Yes! Deli roast beef, leftover roast beef, or even thinly sliced steak all work great. Just make sure it's sliced thin for easy eating.
- → What if I can't find Arby's sauce?
- You can make a copycat version with ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and spices, or substitute with barbecue sauce or horseradish sauce.
- → Can I use regular hamburger buns?
- You can, but Hawaiian rolls are key to the authentic taste - their sweetness balances the savory beef and cheese perfectly.
- → How do I prevent the sliders from getting soggy?
- Don't use too much cheese sauce or Arby's sauce, and serve them immediately after baking while the rolls are still crispy.
- → Can I make these ahead for a party?
- You can assemble them completely and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time if starting cold.