Sloppy Joe Sliders

Ingredients

• 1 package rolls , 12-count
• 24 small slices sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon olive or avocado oil
• 1 pound 80% lean ground beef
• 0.5 large white onion
• 2 teaspoons garlic paste
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder and/or cumin
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 0.75 cups water

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

2. 2

   Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut rolls in half and lay bottom halves on the sheet. Place a piece of cheese on each bottom half. Set tops aside and cover baking sheet with a tea towel while working on the filling.

3. 3

   Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 1 minute, then add ground beef. Cook until browned and crumbly, breaking the meat up with a spoon, and onion is soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain grease, then add garlic. Stir to combine and lower heat to medium-low.

4. 4

   Stir ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and chili powder together in a small bowl. Add to the cooked beef, then stir in water. Simmer on low, stirring frequently, until thickened to your taste, 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

5. 5

   Place a heaping spoonful of meat mixture over cheese on the bottom half of rolls. Cover the meat mixture with another slice of cheese. Replace the tops.

6. 6

   For glaze, mix butter, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard together in a small bowl. Brush over tops of rolls, then sprinkle each roll top with sesame or poppy seeds.

7. 7

   Bake sliders, uncovered, in the preheated oven, until cheese is melted and tops are nicely browned, about 20 minutes. Serve with BBQ sauce, ketchup, or yellow mustard for dipping.