Cheeseburger Sliders

Instructions

1. Preheat oven Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure the rack is in the center position and have a 9×13 inch baking dish ready.
2. Season and bake the beef layer Add 2 pounds ground beef, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper, and 2 teaspoons garlic powder directly into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Use clean hands or a spatula to mix thoroughly and press the meat into a flat, even layer. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, then remove the dish from the oven and carefully drain off the excess fat.
3. Prepare the rolls and toppings While the beef bakes, finely dice 1/2 white onion. Slice the 6 slices cheddar cheese and 6 slices cooked bacon (if using) into pieces that will cover the sliders evenly. Slice the 12-pack of dinner rolls or Hawaiian sweet rolls in half horizontally so you have a connected bottom slab and a connected top slab.
4. Assemble the sliders Place the bottom half of the 12-pack rolls back into the same 9×13 inch baking dish. Lay the baked beef layer on top of the rolls. Sprinkle the diced onion evenly over the beef, then layer on the cheddar cheese slices and the 6 slices cooked bacon pieces (if using). Place the top half of the rolls over the filling to form one large slider slab.
5. Brush with butter and add sesame seeds Brush the tops of the rolls with 2 tablespoons melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon sesame seeds.
6. Bake until golden and melty Return the assembled sliders to the oven and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and the cheddar cheese is fully melted.
7. Slice and serve Remove the pan from the oven and let the cheeseburger sliders rest for about 5 minutes. Use a sharp knife to cut the slab into 12 sliders, then serve warm.