Cheeseburger Slab – Easy Party Food for Crowds in 55 Minutes
Table of Contents
Cheeseburger Slab Recipe
Tired of flipping individual burgers for a crowd? This Cheeseburger Slab is your brilliant solution! Imagine all the classic flavors of a perfect cheeseburger—savory seasoned beef, melted cheese, tangy pickles, and special sauce—baked into one delicious, easy-to-serve slab. This party-perfect dish is a game-changer for game day, potlucks, or family dinners where you want maximum flavor with minimal effort. Just mix, bake, slice, and watch it disappear!
Why This Cheeseburger Slab Recipe Works
This recipe is a crowd-feeding genius for several reasons. It captures all the classic cheeseburger flavors in one convenient dish. The preparation is incredibly simple—just mix and bake, no burger shaping required. It’s perfect for feeding large groups without standing at the grill. The recipe is highly customizable with your favorite burger toppings. Finally, it’s kid-friendly and adult-approved, making it perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients for Cheeseburger Slab
For the Burger Base:
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
For the Toppings & Assembly:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup dill pickle slices
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
For the Special Sauce (Optional):
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Ingredient Tip: For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken. You can also add ½ cup of cooked, crumbled bacon to the meat mixture for extra flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Make the Burger Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika. Use your hands to mix gently but thoroughly until everything is well combined.
- Form the Slab: Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press it evenly into the pan, creating a uniform slab that reaches all the edges.
- Add Condiments: In a small bowl, mix the ¼ cup ketchup and 2 tablespoons mustard. Spread this mixture evenly over the top of the meat slab.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Add Cheese & Toppings: Remove the slab from the oven (it will have shrunk slightly). Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Arrange pickle slices in rows across the cheese. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Finish Baking: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly and the meat is cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F).
- Make Special Sauce: While the slab bakes, whisk together all the special sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve: Use the parchment paper to lift the entire cheeseburger slab out of the baking dish and onto a cutting board. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice into squares. Serve with the special sauce for dipping or drizzling.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Slab
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the meat ingredients just until combined to keep the texture tender.
- Press Evenly: Ensure the meat is pressed evenly in the pan so it cooks uniformly.
- Drain if Needed: If using higher-fat beef, you may want to carefully drain any excess grease after the first 25 minutes of baking before adding the cheese.
- Customize Toppings: Before adding the cheese, add other toppings like cooked bacon bits, diced tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Make it Spicy: Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the meat mixture or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
Serving Your Cheeseburger Slab
This cheeseburger slab is fantastic served right from the cutting board with toothpicks for easy grabbing. Pair it with sweet potato fries, crispy tater tots, or a fresh garden salad. For dipping, offer small bowls of extra special sauce, ranch dressing, or bbq sauce. For another incredible party dish that feeds a crowd, try our Easy Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole or our Sausage Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits.
Cheeseburger Slab Nutrition
- Calories: ~320 (per square)
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Note: Nutrition is approximate per 3×3 inch square. Using lean ground beef reduces fat content.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover slab (unsliced or sliced) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat for best texture, warm slices in an oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until heated through. The microwave will work but can make the bottom soggy. To freeze, bake the slab completely, let it cool, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the meat mixture, press it into the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to the initial bake time if going straight from the fridge.
What if I don’t have breadcrumbs?
You can use crushed crackers, panko, or even ½ cup of quick oats as a binder.
Can I use different cheeses?
Absolutely. American cheese, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend all work wonderfully.
How do I know when it’s done cooking?
The slab is done when the cheese is bubbly and the internal temperature reaches 160°F when tested with a meat thermometer in the center.
Can I make this in a different size pan?
A 9×13 inch pan is ideal. A 10×15 inch jelly roll pan will yield a thinner slab and reduce baking time by 5-10 minutes.
More Crowd-Pleasing Party Recipes
If this cheeseburger slab is a hit at your gathering, you’ll want to try these other recipes. Our French Dip Squares are another fantastic handheld party food. For a breakfast version of a slab, our Easy Tater Tot Breakfast Bowl is always popular. And if you love cheesy ground beef dishes, don’t miss our Easy Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole.
Recipe Inspiration
This recipe is inspired by the clever idea of deconstructing a classic favorite into an easy, shareable format perfect for feeding a crowd. The cheeseburger slab takes the essential elements of America’s favorite sandwich and transforms them into a bake-and-serve masterpiece that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious.
Make This Party-Perfect Slab for Your Next Gathering
Ready to become the hero of your next party? Save this recipe to your “Game Day Food” or “Party Planning” board to have it ready when you need it. We’d love to see your delicious creations—share your photos with us! For hundreds more recipes that make entertaining easy and delicious, browse our full collection of party appetizers and mains.
Cheeseburger Slab
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika until combined.
- Press meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Mix ¼ cup ketchup and mustard, then spread over the meat.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven (meat will have shrunk). Top evenly with shredded cheese, pickle slices, and sesame seeds.
- Return to oven and bake 10-15 more minutes until cheese is bubbly and meat is cooked through (160°F internal temp).
- Let slab rest 5-10 minutes. Use parchment to lift it onto a cutting board. Slice into squares. Whisk special sauce ingredients and serve alongside.