I first shared my recipe for Delicious Baked Sandwiches back in 2011, and since then, the number of emails and comments I’ve gotten as a result is just craziness!
This recipe has been “shared” on the internet thousands of times… and I’ve made them for our own family (plus extended family, friends, dinner guests, and random holiday functions) almost as many times over the past 10 years!
What can I say… these baked sandwiches are a HIT!
I suppose any time you mix soft rolls, melty cheese, savory meats, and lots of butter, the finished product can’t taste bad!
Add in the fact that these sandwiches only take about 10 minutes to prep AND can easily be made a full day in advance… and you literally have yourself the perfect weeknight meal.
They are also a fantastic appetizer (make them on slider buns), a delicious addition to your “game day” spread, and a great simple meal to take to others. Just make sure you bring a printed copy of the recipe because anyone who eats these WILL ask for it!
These baked sandwiches really are as amazing as they look and sound!
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In case you’re still “on the fence” about giving them a try, I want to assure you that you can mix and match almost ANY type of roll, meat, and cheese and the results will be delicious!
3 of Our Favorite Baked Sandwich Combinations:
- Ham + Swiss
- Turkey + Cheddar
- Salami/Pepperoni + Mozzarella (here’s my recipe for pizza sliders)
Use leftover meat and rolls from a big holiday meal, or deli meat and store-bought rolls of your choice.
Over the past year, I switched from store-bought rolls to my homemade whole-grain dinner rolls with excellent results!
Seriously, I can’t think of one time (over 10+ years of making these baked sandwiches) that they haven’t turned out wonderfully!
Just assemble the sandwiches, pour the melted butter sauce over top, and bake for 20 minutes — DONE!
OR, if you know you’ll be super pressed for time, assemble the sandwiches ahead of time (up to a full day in advance) and let them sit in the butter sauce in the fridge.
I’ve even assembled the sandwiches and frozen them (without the sauce) for a later date — the still tasted wonderfully fresh when pulled out of the oven!
Add this recipe for delicious baked sandwiches to your menu plan this week (and then again next week)!
You won’t regret it!
Delicious Baked Sandwiches
What do you get when you mix delicious deli meats, gooey cheese, fresh rolls, and a healthy amount of butter?
The most delicious baked sandwiches ever!
Ingredients
- 1 dozen buns or rolls
- 1/2 lb. to 3/4 lb. thinly sliced meat
- 12 slices of cheese
For the Sauce
- 1/2 c. melted butter
- 2 Tbs. honey or brown sugar
- 1 Tbs. mustard
- 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbs. poppy seeds
Instructions
- Assemble sandwiches by layering your choice of meat and cheese on buns or rolls.
- Place sandwiches in a baking pan and set aside.
- In a small saucepan or glass measuring cup, mix all ingredients for the sauce and boil or microwave until butter is melted.
- Pour sauce over sandwiches.
- Sprinkle poppy seeds over sandwiches.
- Bake now (instructions below), or refrigerate for several hours (even overnight)
- Bake at 350ºF for 20 - 25 minutes, or until the tops are brown and the cheese is melted. Cover loosely with foil if you don't want your sandwiches to get as brown.
Notes
MEAT + CHEESE:
Feel free to use any combination of meat and cheese for these delicious sandwiches. Here are a few of our favorite combinations:
- ham + swiss (Christmas leftovers)
- turkey + cheddar (Thanksgiving leftovers)
- pepperoni/salami + mozzarella (pizza slider recipe here)
BUNS:
You can honestly use any type of bun, roll, slider, or even regular sandwich bread for this recipe.
I regularly use my homemade whole-grain rolls, but previously I used Brown 'n Serve rolls or Hawaiian Rolls. I also know many people who use hamburger buns and even sliced sandwich bread!
You really can't mess this recipe up, so use whatever bread products you have in the house.
PAN SIZE:
Use the following pan sizes with each different type of bread/roll.
- Brown 'n serve rolls = 9" x 13" pan
- Hawaiian Rolls = 7" x 11" pan
- Homemade Rolls = (whatever size works best)
- Sandwich Bread = large sheet pan
LEFTOVERS:
Yes! They are amazing!
We eat these sandwiches cold in lunches the next day and they are SO good (of course, they taste great warmed up again too!)
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 391Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 74mgSodium 322mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 1gSugar 7gProtein 19g
Nutritional information is approximate and does not account for additional ingredients or added toppings.
Our family loves these baked sandwiches so much I sometimes make 2 full pans so we can eat one for dinner and have the other one for lunches throughout the week.
They are surprisingly tasty cold or reheated later in the week.
I serve our sandwiches with some type of salad (this broccoli salad is a hit), a variety of fresh fruit, and sometimes roasted veggies or potato wedges.
It’s one of the few meals no one ever complains about! 🙂
Have you tried this recipe yet?
If not, what’s stopping you?
Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly, recipes!
Elle says
Afternoon!
These sound perfect for my upcoming week and I was wondering how long they kept for. For instance if I made them on the Monday would they be good until Thursday?
Thanks
Elle
Andrea says
Well — we’ve never had them around for more than 3 days 🙂
That said, I have a feeling they would be fine for 3-5 days in the fridge.
Rebecca says
Andrea:
I have to tell you that I made these for the first time last week when we were having another family over for dinner. I made this and potato soup and salad. I made 24 of these and there were only 3 left by the time dinner was over, and that was only because I cleared the tray so I could have some for lunch. Oh my goodness!!! so yummy! So much so that I have been craving them all week and just made another batch for just me.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Andrea says
yay — glad you liked them. Aren’t they fabulous!!
Nicole Pittaluga says
Quite Delicious! My store didn’t have brown n serve rolls so I used Grands biscuits from refrigerator section. I probably could have cut back on the butter due to the richness of the biscuits. It was a great use for all the deli meat my mother bought the other day! Served with baked beans and broccoli slaw
Maggie says
I’ve been eyeing this recipe for a while now on your blog. I am due in less than 3 months and am collecting EASY dinner ideas 🙂 Do they sell these rolls everywhere? I don’t normally buy them so I have no idea what they are!
Andrea says
yes, it’s SOOOO easy!!
I’ve ALWAYS had brown n’ serve rolls at our grocery store, but I’ve heard from many people that they don’t know what they are. That said, you could pretty much use any roll — or even make your own 🙂
Jennifer says
Hi Andrea, I’m planning to make these tonight but I bought Hawaiian rolls instead of brown and serve. Will they get too mushy since they’re not the brown and serve kind?
Jennifer says
So, i went ahead and made these tonight even tho i only had the Hawaiian rolls…WOW! These were the best thing we’ve had for dinner in a long time! Even my (picky) 14yo son raved about them and told me i should open a restaurant : ) Thanks so much for all the great tasting and SIMPLE recipes on your blog! A wonderful resource for a busy homeschooling mama of three : )
Andrea says
yay — glad you liked them. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner — email is probably the best way to contact me if you need an immediate answer 🙂
Anyway, if you can’t find brown ‘n serve rolls, I’ve been told Hawaiian rolls work just fine. However, if you can get your hands on some brown ‘n serve rolls, I’d at least give it a try. They get really crispy and crunchy on top — yum!!
Anyway, you’re welcome for the simple recipes — they are the only kind I make 🙂
Shari says
I’ve been thinking about these forever but never tried them. Then I was wracking my brain for easy make-ahead recipes starring finger foods, since we’re having the entire family over after Christmas Eve services. I think these will work perfectly!
Andrea says
TRY THEM!! We’re actually having them for dinner tonight! You could also look for mini rolls (not sure if that’s a real thing or not) and make tiny versions if there will be lots of other foods available.
Merry Christmas!
Shari says
Just wanted to report back to say, these were a HUGE hit with kids & adults alike! I made two pans & they were gone in a flash. Hubs & my daddy both have already requested I make them again asap. Thank you!
Andrea says
yay — so glad you loved these sandwiches!! Aren’t they just SOOOOOOO easy! I make them at least once a month!
Lauren Dekker says
These are SO good! The brown and serve rolls are far superior to the Hawaiian rolls. Keeps it from getting too mushy. I have made with both kinds and this is the best!
Split this into 2 – 8×8 pans and gave the other to the
In-laws! Now I’m really winning with this great recipe!!
Jules says
I am from the UK and I have never had baked rolls. I did however have 3 packs of rather old rolls lurking at the bottom of my freezer and some left over gammon and cheese. Thanks to you my teatime menu plan was sorted and my family raved about them “why have we never had these before mummy”!! I ended up telling them all about you and your family from across the pond, thanks for sharing the recipe.
Andrea says
hi Jules! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe success — aren’t those sandwiches amazing (and so simple!)
Jules says
They were amazing, I think I am going to have to buy some more rolls and make them again. I can’t believe something so simple tastes so delicious!
Sara says
Hi Andrea,
I would like to know what kind of cheese you use for these sandwiches?
Thanks,
Sara
Andrea says
Hey Sara. You can honestly use any type of “yellow cheese”. sometimes I use cheddar, sometimes colby jack, sometimes even Kraft singles for super gooey cheese.
Colleen Dekker says
Hi Andrea, I was wondering if you have ever frozen these sandwiches after they have been baked? The recipe is really too much for the two of us and although I could make just half I would prefer to make the whole one and freeze the leftovers.
If you have frozen them, how do you then thaw and reheat them and how do they turn out?
Thanks!
Colleen
Andrea says
I’ve frozen the sandwiches BEFORE adding the sauce and baking, but never after. We just eat them for lunch leftovers throughout the week — they stay good in the fridge for several days and re-heat well in the microwave.
However, if you’re not a big fan of leftovers, I’d probably just make a half batch at a time 🙂
Amanda Melichar says
Oh my Gosh! These look amazing! I also dislike mustard on it’s own but don’t mind it hidden in recipes 🙂
Fiona says
Hi Andrea, have you tried freezing these after they’ve been baked? If so, how did they turn out? I was thinking about making them ahead for lunch at work.
Thanks!
MomofTwoPreciousGirls says
ANY ideas for alternatives to the mustard? Both hubby and I DESPISE mustard (really strongly!).
Andrea says
I actually hate mustard too, but I use brown mustard for these sandwiches and don’t mind it at all. If you really dislike mustard that much, just do without it.
Monica says
Could you use already baked rolls from the bakery? I just bought a huge bag of rolls at Sam’s Club last night because I was going to take some with dinner to a sick friend. I got to thinking I have a ton of leftover ham in my fridge so I could make these sandwiches instead if I can use the already cooked rolls. What do you think?
Andrea says
yes Monica, I’m sure that would be fine. The results might taste a little different, but not necessarily worse — just different!
Renee says
I made a different version of these tonight with what I had on hand. I used hamburger buns and leftover brisket for the adults and turkey lunchmeat and cheese for the kids. I did a lazy version of the sauce. I didn’t have any poppy seeds. I spread mustard over each bun, sprinkled brown sugar and put a pat of butter on each roll, then baked. Turned out great!
Andrea says
Yum!! Sounds delicious and I love it that you used what you had on hand and improvised. All the recipes on my blog are so simple, it’s almost impossible to totally mess them up 🙂
Alicia Sperry says
Great recipe for my family of 10! I took it up a notch by making my own rolls using this recipe: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/big-batch-quick-dinner-rolls-recipe. Baked them for 15 minutes, then cooled them a bit before slicing and making the sandwiches. My husband dipped his in rasperry jelly and loved them! Thanks for sharing!
Andrea says
Yum… homemade rolls! That sounds delicious!
Lisa Collin says
Having these tonight for supper. I didn’t have poppy seeds, so I sprinkled oregano on top. We’re big sandwich fans over here so I’m doubling the recipe for my family of five. The kids and DH will love the leftovers in their lunch!
Jen says
We made these a few weeks ago and they are good. I tried them again last week with Italian dressing in place of the buttery sauce and that was really good, too.
Lindsey says
Hi I really want to make this and I went to the store last night but I could not find those rolls.
Could you please tell me a good alternative?
Also would you freeze them after baking or before?
Thanks
Lindsey
kristen says
I was just wondering if anyone has froze these, and if so, do you bake first or bake once they come out of the freezer? And, freeze with or without sauce? I have 12 rolls and only 2 of us so I’d like to use all the ingredients but maybe end up with a couple batches. I’d love a tip on this…thanks!
Tami says
Andrea, My family loved these sandwiches tonight! The sauce had the perfect blend of flavorings. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I will be making it again.
Kathleen says
Delicious!!! Thank you so much!!
Cynthia says
Loved them. We made them with the 2 Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (24 count each, so a total of 48) and just made the amount of sauce for 1, 12 count and it was plenty. Everyone in the house except for my grandson who’s not feeling well loved them and I have plenty for my husband’s lunch. I know this was asked but do they freeze well? If you could reply I would so appreciate it.
Thanks again…:)
Amy says
Andrea, my family and I LOVED these sandwiches!!!!!! Even my super picky 9 year old! We have a dinner “go to ” list that we are building on and my daughter said “PUT THESE ON THE LIST!!!!!!!!”
jerilyn says
These were fabulous! Thanks for the new family favorite!
Ramona says
ok, so I left the picture of this recipe on the computer when I went to answer the phone, my husband saw it and instantly starting asking me questions about it. I was told that I needed to make them. I made them yesterday for lunch and they smelled wonderful. They tasted amazing and looked just as good. I will definately have this on my weekly menu list, change it up a bit with the lunchmeat and cheese. I think I might also make these for my church potluck dinners as well. They are just so easy and so good. Thanks again!
Nina says
I’m excited to make these! Do they freeze ok?
Christina says
Do the rolls get soggy on the bottom from the sauce pooling at bottom of pan? They look delicious
Andrea says
Christina, the rolls DO get “soggy” — but that’s what makes them so delicious.
It’s not a bad soggy, it’s more like “gooey” and “sticky”with delicious sauce…but crispy on top. they are very good and we are actually having them for dinner tomorrow night [by popular demand!]
Christina says
Ok I’m definitely going to give thm a try!! Thanks
Melissa says
Made these last night. Used ham on half and turkey on the other. Thought 24 would fit in a pan. Had to do one 9×13 and one 8×8. YUM! Everyone loved them. Keeper recipe…thanks for sharing!
Tonya says
Just made these for lunch. My husband said they were really good and looks forward to having them again. Definitely a keeper recipe. Thanks for posting it. Yummmmm
Andrea says
thanks for letting me know Tonya!! Glad your family liked them too 🙂
Johane Levesque says
I don’t have these little rolls at my local grocery store. What should I look for that would be similar? Thanks!
Elena says
These look DELICIOUS!!! Will definitely have to try them. Thanks:)
Cristy says
Any chance these can be frozen and re-heated??
Diana from SC says
Yes these can be frozen and reheated in the microware.
Katie says
I have made a very similar recipe with King’s Hawaiian rolls. You can slice them without breaking them apart and 2 packages fit perfectly in a 13×9 pan; very easy and good!
Sarah says
AWESOME! Going thru my freezer I noticed we had leftover hamburger buns no idea how it happended, must have been a buy one get on free deal or two I took advantage of. By this time of year we are sick of hamburgers so I needed an idea of what I could do with them. YUM can’t wait to see what my family thinks. I’m all out of poppy seeds but have sesame seeds they will have to do for first time round… thanks
Stacey says
Funny! I have these pinned on my pinterest board and was getting ready to buy ingredients to make these for next week! they look soooo yummy!
Andrea says
They are delicious — definitely get the ingredients!!
Jenni says
these are also so yummy made on the Hawaiian sweet rolls……I actually spread the butter sauce on the inside of the sandwiches instead – makes them a little bit less messy, but still quite delicious
Dana says
I did the same thing for my daughters birthday party. They were the most talked about and enjoyed thing I made. They were even more popular than the home made strawberry dream cake!
Toni says
I can vouch that these are truly delicious. I remember 20+ years ago they were popular to make as finger foods for parties. The tiny little rectangular rolls were used and you just sliced through the entire tray of rolls and cooked them in the pan they came in, wrapping it in foil. Yummy!!