Cheesy Beef Hot Dog Buns

These cheesy beef hot dog buns are so easy to make, you’ll be making them all the time! It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, made with minimal effort. They’re a great spin off of sloppy joes, baked to perfection in the oven.

Whenever I’m looking for a simple, quick meal, but don’t have time to spend an hour in the kitchen, I turn to this one! The buns toast perfectly in the oven, and the beef is still hot and gooey inside.

This hearty bake doesn’t require any complicated preparation. Simply brown the meat, fill the buns, and pop them in the oven until the cheese is melted.

Why You Will Love This

• Prep takes very little time.
• Great weeknight meal to feed a hungry family.
• Budget friendly ingredients; uses ground beef and pantry staples.
• The buns are toasted in the oven, which keeps them from getting soggy.
• Customize with your favorite burger toppings.

What You Need

To make these delicious savory buns, you only need a few simple ingredients. Have these items on hand and you’ll be ready to whip up this easy dinner in no time.

• Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for the filling so it stays savory and doesn’t make the bread greasy.
• Hot dog buns: You can use standard hot dog buns for this recipe. They work perfectly as a bowl for the beef.
• Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded sharp cheddar will melt over the beef nicely.
• Ketchup and mustard: Mix these two ingredients to create a tangy, burger-like sauce for the filling.
• Onion powder: Use this to give the filling a savory flavor, without having to chop and sauté fresh onion.

How To Make It

Here’s how to make this simple, cheesy bake!

Brown the Beef

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, draining off the excess grease.

Make the Filling

Reduce the heat, and stir in the ketchup, mustard, and onion powder to the cooked beef. Let the mixture cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.

Prepare the Buns

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easier clean up. Slice the hot dog buns open, and place them close together on the pan to help them stand upright.

Stuff and Bake

Scoop a big spoonful of the hot beef mixture into the center of each bun. Top with the cheddar cheese. 

Melt to Perfection

Bake the stuffed buns for 10 to 12 minutes. You want the cheese to be completely melted and the edges of the buns to turn golden and crispy.

Tips

• Slightly press in the centers of the buns with your fingers so they have more room to hold all that delicious filling.
• If you’d like the sides of the buns to remain incredibly soft, use a baking dish instead of a sheet pan.
• Add a handful of cheese to the beef mixture to make the filling even more gooey.
• For an extra boost of flavor, brush the tops and sides of the buns with some melted garlic butter before baking.
• Switch the cheddar cheese for pepper jack if your family likes things a little spicy.

How to Store

• Store: Wrap leftover buns in foil once cool and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: These are best eaten fresh; freezing them will make the bread super mushy upon thawing.
• Reheat: Heat them in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to recrisp the edges and re-melt the cheese.

How to Serve

• Enjoy these hot with a serving of crispy sweet potato fries or tater tots.
• Serve with a fresh green salad and a simple vinaigrette.
• Offer chopped pickles and chopped jalapeños in separate bowls so everyone can add whatever toppings they prefer to their buns.
• Accompany with a bowl of potato salad for an easy summer dinner.