Aunt Kathy’s Oven Burgers

Aunt Kathy’s Oven Burgers are the ultimate comfort food, combining juicy beef patties with melted cheese and a tangy sauce, all baked together on soft buns.

These burgers are quick to assemble, easy to bake, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether for a weeknight meal or a family gathering, they’ll be a hit every time.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Baking sheet or casserole dish
• Skillet
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

For the Burgers:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 for best flavor)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the Sauce and Assembly:

• 8 slider buns or small sandwich rolls
• 8 slices of American cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 2 tbsp butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet or casserole dish with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
2. Prepare the Burger Patties:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Form the mixture into 8 equal patties.
3. Cook the Patties:
   Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the burger patties for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. Make the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard until smooth.
5. Assemble the Burgers:
   Place the bottom halves of the slider buns on the prepared baking sheet. Spread a small amount of the sauce on each bun, then top with a burger patty and a slice of cheese. Add the top halves of the buns.
6. Brush with Butter:
   Brush the tops of the buns with melted butter. Cover the baking sheet loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the buns from over-browning.
7. Bake:
   Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, and the patties are cooked through.
8. Serve:
   Remove from the oven and let the burgers rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

Nutrition (Per Slider)

Calories: 280
Protein: 15g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fat: 14g
Sugar: 4g

Expert Tips

• Don’t Overwork the Meat: Gently mix the beef to keep the patties tender and juicy.
• Add Toppings: Customize with pickles, lettuce, or sliced tomatoes after baking for added freshness.
• Even Searing: Sear the patties in batches if needed to ensure they brown evenly without steaming.

FAQs

Can I make these burgers ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the sliders without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving.

Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Assemble the burgers without the sauce, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the baking time.

What type of cheese works best?
American cheese melts beautifully, but you can use cheddar, Swiss, or any cheese you prefer.

Storing & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or microwave until heated through.

Substitutions & Variations

• Turkey or Chicken: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
• Gluten-Free: Swap out the buns for gluten-free rolls.
• Spicy Kick: Add a slice of jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for extra heat.

Aunt Kathy’s Oven Burgers

Aunt Kathy’s Oven Burgers are the ultimate comfort food, combining juicy beef patties with melted cheese and a tangy sauce, all baked together on soft buns.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• **For the Burgers:**
• - 1 lb ground beef 80/20 or 85/15 for best flavor
• - 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• - 1 tsp garlic powder
• - 1 tsp salt
• - 1/2 tsp black pepper
• **For the Sauce and Assembly:**
• - 8 slider buns or small sandwich rolls
• - 8 slices of American cheese
• - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• - 2 tbsp ketchup
• - 1 tbsp mustard
• - 2 tbsp butter melted

Equipment

• - Large mixing bowl
• - Baking sheet or casserole dish
• - Skillet
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• - Aluminum foil

Method

 

1. **Preheat the Oven:**
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet or casserole dish with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
3. **Prepare the Burger Patties:**
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Form the mixture into 8 equal patties.
5. **Cook the Patties:**
6. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the burger patties for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
7. **Make the Sauce:**
8. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard until smooth.
9. **Assemble the Burgers:**
10. Place the bottom halves of the slider buns on the prepared baking sheet. Spread a small amount of the sauce on each bun, then top with a burger patty and a slice of cheese. Add the top halves of the buns.
11. **Brush with Butter:**
12. Brush the tops of the buns with melted butter. Cover the baking sheet loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the buns from over-browning.
13. **Bake:**
14. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, and the patties are cooked through.
15. **Serve:**
16. Remove from the oven and let the burgers rest for a couple of minutes before serving.