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Cheesy roast beef sliders are about to become your new favorite game-day snack. Topped with caramelized onions, a tangy sauce, and plenty of cheese, these sliders are an at-home version of your favorite fast food roast beef sandwich.

Close up of cheesy roast beef slider on a white plate.

I might not be much of a football fan, but I am a fan of football food. 

Whether it’s a big platter of bacon-wrapped little smokies, a skillet of pizza dip, or a batch of deviled eggs, I love all of the snacks.

Sliders are one of my favorite things to make for game days or for easy dinners. They’re quick and easy to throw together, there are a ton of variations you can make, and they’re always a hit.

My newest favorite version? These cheesy roast beef sliders. If you love those fast-food beef and cheddar sandwiches, then you’re gonna go nuts for this recipe.

Baked cheesy roast beef sliders in a white pan.

COPYCAT BEEF & CHEDDAR SLIDERS

I love a fancy meal as much as anyone, but sometimes I crave some fast food “guilty pleasures.” One of those is an Arby’s beef and cheddar sandwich.

Is it “good”? Not really. Do I still love it every now and then? I sure do.

When I decided to take that craving and turn it into some cheesy roast beef sliders, I knew it would be a winner.

This recipe has all of the flavors of that fast-food favorite but in a made-at-home slider form. 

There’s the thinly sliced roast beef, the tangy barbecue sauce, and of course the melty cheese. And since you can’t really find slider versions of onion buns, I even added some caramelized onions to the sliders.

These sliders are so snackable, they’ll disappear in no time!

Two cheesy roast beef sliders next to a green salad on a white plate.

HOW TO MAKE THESE CHEESY ROAST BEEF SLIDERS

Ingredients you’ll need

These cheesy roast beef sliders use just a handful of ingredients. This recipe even includes an optional homemade copycat Arby’s sauce. 

For the sliders themselves, you will need:

  • Caramelized onions: olive oil, yellow onion, pinch of sea salt
  • King’s Hawaiian rolls
  • Cheez Whiz
  • Deli-sliced roast beef
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Arby’s sauce
Cheesy roast beef slider ingredients.

If you’re able to find onion bun-style slider rolls, feel free to use those and skip the caramelized onions if you like.

I can feel that look you’re giving me about the Cheez Whiz. I know it’s not “real” cheese, but I like combining it with the shredded cheddar cheese to give these sliders the same melty cheesy bite of the original sandwich.

If you’re really opposed to using Cheez Whiz, that’s fine – you can just use a bit more shredded cheddar cheese. Just keep in mind that the sliders will be missing that melty cheese sauce texture.

Some grocery stores carry bottled Arby’s sauce. If you can find it, feel free to use that on these sliders. If not, you can make your own tangy copycat using:

  • Ketchup
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Water
  • Tabasco or similar hot sauce
  • Brown sugar
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper
copycat arby's sauce ingredients.

Making this recipe

Start by caramelizing the onion. Peel and thinly slice the onion, then add it to a skillet with olive oil and a pinch of salt over medium heat. 

Cook the onion, stirring every few minutes, until it is caramelized. This will take about 30-40 minutes. You can learn more in my post on how to caramelize onions.

While the onion cooks, spray a 9×13-inch baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Cut the rolls in half horizontally (like a bagel) using a serrated knife. Place the bottoms of the rolls in the prepared dish.

If you’re making your own sauce, combine all of the sauce ingredients in a sauce pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking occasionally. Warm the sauce through, then remove from the heat.

Spread the Cheez Whiz across the cut sides of the rolls, making sure to spread it across the tops and bottoms. Distribute the roast beef across the bottoms of the rolls, then top with the caramelized onions. 

Spoon the sauce evenly over the onions, using as much as you desire. You can always save any extra for dipping or for guests to add to their sliders later.

Sprinkle on the shredded cheddar cheese and add the roll tops.

Bake the cheesy roast beef sliders for about 10-15 minutes. You want the cheese to be melted, the tops to be golden, and the sliders to be warmed through.

Unbaked cheesy roast beef sliders in a white baking dish.

MAKE-AHEAD & REHEATING TIPS

If you’re making these cheesy roast beef sliders for a party, you can definitely prep them ahead of time.

You can caramelize the onions up to 3 days ahead; store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the sliders.

You can also make the copycat Arby’s sauce up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

You could assemble the sliders up to the night before you plan to serve them and keep them covered in the refrigerator. I would wait to add the Arby’s sauce until just before putting them in the oven. This will help prevent the rolls from getting soggy from the sauce.

When you’re ready to go, bake them for a few extra minutes, as needed, if starting from cold.

Metal server about to pick up a roast beef slider from a pan of sliders.

How to reheat

If you have leftover cheesy roast beef sliders, store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, wrap them in foil and place them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or in a 350°F air fryer for about 5 minutes.

MORE GAME-DAY SLIDER RECIPES

Cheesy roast beef sliders are just one version of sliders that we love for game day around here. But there are so many options that you can choose from. You’re gonna be famous for your sliders!

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Cheesy Roast Beef Sliders

By: Jamie
4.84 from 6 ratings
Prep: 35 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Servings: 24 sliders
Cheesy roast beef sliders are about to become your new favorite game-day snack. Topped with caramelized onions, a tangy sauce, and plenty of cheese, these sliders are an at-home version of your favorite fast food roast beef sandwich.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • 1 package King’s Hawaiian rolls 24 count
  • 1 cup Cheez Whiz
  • 2 pounds deli-sliced roast beef
  • 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese

For the copycat Arby’s sauce:

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 4-6 dashes Tabasco or similar hot sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring every few minutes, until caramelized, about 30-40 minutes. For more details, check out how to caramelize onions.
  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Use a serrated knife to cut the rolls in half like a bagel or buns and place the bottoms in the prepared baking dish.
  • Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally. When sauce is warmed through and well combined, remove from heat.
  • While the sauce warms and the onions caramelize, spread the Cheez Whiz across the cut sides of the rolls, both top and bottom.
  • Evenly distribute the roast beef over the bottom of the rolls. Evenly top with the caramelized onions.
  • Spoon the sauce evenly over the beef and onions; you can use as much or as little as you like, reserving any extra for dipping.
  • Sprinkle on the shredded cheddar and top with the tops of the rolls.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted, the tops of the rolls are golden, and sliders are warmed through.

Video

Notes

If your grocery store carries bottled Arby’s sauce, feel free to use that in place of the homemade sauce.
If you like, you can optionally brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter before baking the sliders.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slider, Calories: 108kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 34mg, Sodium: 832mg, Potassium: 157mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 137IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 177mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

4.84 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. Jill says:

    5 stars
    This was insanely good. Little slider sized Arby’s Cheddar and Roast beef sandwiches, right down to the tangy sauce.
    YUMMY!!:)

    1. Jamie says:

      I am so happy to hear you enjoy this recipe! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
      -Jamie

  2. Skip Davis says:

    5 stars
    Excellent & easy to follow recipe.

    1. Jamie says:

      I am so happy to hear you enjoy this recipe! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
      -Jamie