This mind-blowing Cheeseburger Onion Ring Roll transforms everything you love about a classic cheeseburger into an innovative, crowd-pleasing dish. The crispy parmesan onion ring “shell” wrapped around savory ground beef, melty cheese, and tangy pickles creates an unforgettable flavor explosion that looks as impressive as it tastes. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s the perfect showstopper for family dinners or game day gatherings!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Show-Stopping Presentation: This isn’t just a meal—it’s a conversation starter! The rolled format creates a stunning visual that will have everyone reaching for their phones to snap a picture.
- Familiar Flavors, New Experience: All the beloved flavors of a cheeseburger reimagined in a completely new way. The crispy parmesan onion exterior adds a dimension traditional burgers can’t match.
- Customizable: Just like your favorite burger, you can adapt this roll with different cheeses, meat options, or additional toppings to suit your taste preferences.
- Surprisingly Simple: Despite its impressive appearance, this recipe uses straightforward techniques and everyday ingredients—no special culinary skills required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Onions: White onions form the structure of your roll. They need to be sliced consistently to ensure even cooking and a sturdy “shell” that holds everything together.
- Parmesan cheese: Creates the crispy, golden base that binds the onions and adds rich umami flavor. The fat in the cheese helps everything crisp up beautifully.
- Ground meat: Beef is traditional, but turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives work wonderfully too. This forms the hearty center of your roll.
- Seasonings: Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder bring classic burger flavor to the meat. Feel free to adjust these to match your preferred burger seasoning blend.
- American cheese: Provides that nostalgic, melty cheeseburger experience. The mild flavor and superior meltability make it perfect for this application.
- Ham slices: Adds a salty, smoky depth that complements the ground meat perfectly. Think of it as the “bacon” element of your cheeseburger experience.
- Pickles: That essential tangy, crisp component that cuts through the richness. Don’t skip these—they provide crucial flavor balance.
- Chicken broth: Keeps the ground meat moist and juicy while adding subtle flavor depth. Much better than plain water!
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to customize your Cheeseburger Onion Ring Roll? Here are some fantastic ways to make it your own:
- Breakfast Roll: Substitute the ground beef for breakfast sausage and add scrambled eggs to the filling for a morning-friendly version.
- Tex-Mex Style: Add taco seasoning to the meat, substitute pepper jack cheese for American, and include chopped jalapeños and a drizzle of sour cream before serving.
- Mushroom Swiss: Add sautéed mushrooms to the filling and use Swiss cheese instead of American for an earthy, savory twist.
- BBQ Bacon: Mix BBQ sauce into the ground meat, substitute bacon for the ham slices, and use cheddar cheese for a smoky-sweet variation.
How to Make Cheeseburger Onion Ring Roll
Step 1: Prepare the Onion Ring Base
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the parmesan cheese in a thin, even layer across the entire sheet. Arrange the onion slices in a single layer, placing them close together but not overlapping. Brush the onion rings with olive oil and season generously with salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the cheese is golden and crispy.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Meat
While the onion rings bake, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Sprinkle in all the seasonings and stir well to distribute. Pour in the chicken broth, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat but keep covered to stay warm.
Step 3: Assemble the Roll
Once the onion ring sheet is done, let it cool briefly—about 2 minutes. Flip it over carefully onto the parchment paper. Layer the ham slices evenly across the surface, followed by the cheese slices. Spread the seasoned ground meat in an even layer, then distribute the pickles on top.
Step 4: Roll and Bake
Starting from one short end, begin rolling the onion sheet tightly, using the parchment paper to help guide it. Position the completed roll seam-side down on the baking sheet. Return to the oven for 7-10 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and everything is heated through.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Allow the roll to rest for a minute or two, then slice into rounds using a sharp knife. Serve immediately while hot and gooey!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Temperature matters: Make sure your onion sheet is still pliable when you start rolling. If it cools too much, it will crack rather than roll.
- Slice onions uniformly: For even cooking and a sturdy base, aim for consistent 1/4-inch slices. Too thin, and they’ll burn; too thick, and they won’t cook through.
- Drain your meat: If your ground meat releases a lot of fat during cooking, drain some of it before assembly to prevent a soggy roll.
- Use a sharp knife: When cutting the finished roll, a serrated knife works wonderfully to slice through cleanly without squishing your creation.
- Parchment is non-negotiable: Don’t substitute aluminum foil—the cheese will stick and your onion sheet will be impossible to remove intact.
How to Serve
This Cheeseburger Onion Ring Roll shines as the star of your meal, but here are some perfect pairings to complete your feast:
Dipping Sauces:
Serve slices with small bowls of ketchup, mustard, burger sauce, or ranch dressing for authentic burger vibes.
Side Dishes:
Pair with crispy french fries, a simple green salad, or sweet potato wedges for a complete meal.
Garnishes:
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color, or add a drizzle of hot sauce for heat lovers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor actually improves as the ingredients meld together!
Freezing
While possible, freezing isn’t ideal for this recipe as the texture of the onion ring exterior may become soggy when thawed. If you must freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 1 month.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices in a 350°F oven for 7-10 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this will make the crispy exterior soggy.
FAQs
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Can I make this with different types of cheese?
Absolutely! While American cheese gives that classic cheeseburger melt, feel free to substitute cheddar, pepper jack, or provolone. For best results, use cheese that melts well. Hard cheeses like aged parmesan won’t give you that gooey interior, though they work perfectly for the crispy exterior.
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What if my onion sheet cracks when I try to roll it?
Don’t panic! If your onion sheet cracks a bit during rolling, simply press the broken pieces back together and continue rolling. The cheese acts as a binder when reheated. Make sure you’re not letting the sheet cool completely before rolling—it needs to be just cool enough to handle but still warm and pliable.
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Can I make this vegetarian?
Definitely! Substitute the ground meat with a plant-based ground product or well-seasoned lentils mixed with finely chopped mushrooms for texture. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and either skip the ham or use a plant-based alternative. The parmesan in the onion base can be replaced with a vegetarian hard cheese.
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How can I ensure my onion ring roll doesn’t end up soggy?
The key is managing moisture. Make sure your onion sheet is properly crisped before assembly, drain any excess liquid from your ground meat mixture, and pat the pickles dry with paper towels before adding them. During the final baking, keep to the recommended time too long in the oven can cause ingredients to release more moisture.
Final Thoughts
This Cheeseburger Onion Ring Roll takes everything wonderful about a classic burger and transforms it into something spectacular. It delivers all those comforting flavors you crave but with a presentation that will have everyone talking. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or just want to brighten up a weeknight dinner, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between familiar and extraordinary. Give it a try—I’m convinced it will earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection!
Print
Viral Cheeseburger Onion Ring Roll Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
This Viral Cheeseburger Onion Ring Roll combines crispy baked onion rings, juicy ground beef, melted American cheese, savory ham slices, and tangy pickles into a delectable roll that’s perfect for a comforting snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Onion Rings:
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- 2 small white onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick rounds
- 7 oz shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tbs olive oil
- Salt, garlic powder, and paprika, to taste
Ground Meat:
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- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground meat
- 1/2 tsp each salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
Assembly:
- 6 slices American cheese
- 6 slices ham
- 1/3 cup pickles, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400℉ and line a 12×17 inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the onion ring base: Sprinkle the baking sheet with parmesan cheese to create a thin and even layer. Arrange the onion ring slices on top, ensuring they are next to each other but not overlapping. Lightly brush or spray the tops of the onion rings with olive oil and generously season with salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Cook the ground meat: While the onion rings bake, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground meat and use a wooden spoon to break it apart. Add the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder, stirring to evenly coat the meat. Pour in the chicken broth, cover the skillet, and cook for 10 minutes. Uncover, stir the mixture, and remove the skillet from the heat, keeping it covered until assembly.
- Assemble the roll: Once the onion rings are done, allow them to cool for just two minutes to keep them pliable. Flip the onion ring sheet carefully to the other side. Layer the ham slices evenly over the sheet, followed by the cheese slices. Spread the cooked ground beef evenly over the cheese, and then add the pickle slices.
- Roll and bake: Starting from one short side of the rectangle, tightly roll it upward towards the other short side. Place the rolled sheet seam-side down on the baking sheet to keep it secure. Bake for an additional 7-10 minutes. Slice the roll and serve warm.
Notes
- You may also like the Cheesy Scalloped Potato Roll as an alternative recipe idea.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for freshness.
