These tasty sliders are a favorite of my son “Buddy”. Every time I have to go out for essential supplies during our Covid-19 stay-at-home period, I prepare by asking my guys if there is anything in particular they would like me to make these next couple of weeks. This last time Buddy requested these.

I discovered the original recipe last October as I was preparing for Buddy’s game night/Halloween party. If you have been to any of our parties or other get-togethers, you would know that I tend to go all out and often a bit overboard in my preparations and the spread. Nobody goes away hungry; that’s for sure!

I believe that I got this from my mom, Carol Elizabeth WILLIAMS LAKEY. She always made a lot of food for any of our family holidays and celebrations (even when they weren’t at our house) as well as feeding us teenagers during our many sleepover parties.

A few years ago when I reconnected with a dear friend from my teen years, she talked a lot about the spreads my mom always made for our sleepovers. That is well over three decades and the memories are still vivid for one of my guests. That says a lot! I hope that my son’s friends remember our parties fondly for even half of that time. It definitely has become a family tradition!

Now, let’s get to the recipe. It is so convenient that these bake in a 350 degree oven, since several of my other slider recipes and many of my side dishes also bake in a 350 degree oven. 

I originally discovered the recipe here. I changed it up accidentally the first time I made them and have done it that way on purpose ever since. My way is a bit easier, doesn’t require the egg or mayonnaise, has less salt, requires one less baking dish, and just makes more sense to me and my way of cooking. When preparing a big spread, all of the above can make a big difference. My sliders may be a bit more messy, but BOY! do they taste amazing!

State Fair Sliders

Ingredients

1 package white dinner rolls
1 1/2 lb ground beef
4 strips of bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp granulated garlic – or to taste
1/2 tsp pepper – or to taste
2-3 large yellow onions
Avocado oil (or EVOO, etc), 2 generous times around the skillet (2 tbsp?)
12 slices of American cheese, divided
2 tbsp butter, melted

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Add Avocado oil to a large skillet and turn the heat up to medium.
• Slice the onions and saute them in the large skillet; stirring every few minutes until the onions are translucent and slightly browned. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
• You can either use two large skillets (for the onions and the meat mixture) and save time or put the sauteed onions aside in a bowl when done and reuse that same skillet. I have done it both ways, It honestly depends on what is more important at the time: speed or less dishes.
• In a large skillet, combine the ground beef, bacon, Worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, and pepper. Break the meat up into small pieces as it cooks. Brown the meat until cooked through.
• While keeping the rolls connected and in one piece,  gently slice through the middle to make a bottom layer and a top layer. I usually end up cutting the rolls apart (6 rolls still connected together and then the other 6 rolls still connected together). It is usually easier for me and there is less chance of cutting them so unevenly that it negatively affects one of the layers. I just make sure that I know which tops go back onto which bottoms.
• Place the bottom rolls in a greased baking dish.
• Add 6 slices of American cheese to cover the bottom rolls; go to the edges of the rolls. I often tear up an additional piece of cheese in order to cover each bite in cheese.
• Carefully spoon the meat mixture over the cheese layer.
• Spread the sauteed onions evenly over the beef mixture. This can seem to be too much filling, but it is SO good! You can use less, if desired. Either way, try to make the meat and onion layers flat and covering all of the rolls.
• Add another layer of 6 slices of American cheese. I often tear up another piece of cheese and cover each bite like before.
• Place the top layer of rolls on top. Press down gently.
• Brush the top with melted butter.
• Cook for 10-12 minutes.
• When finished baking, carefully cut and separate each slider; take care to get all the way through the bottoms.
• You may have to use a spatula and another slimmer utensil to get them out in one piece, so you don’t spill out any of the goodness. It’s definitely worth it, though.  😉

Enjoy!