Easy Cheeseburger Cups (The Ultimate Handheld Party Dinner)
If you love a classic cheeseburger but want something fun, portable, and perfect for feeding a crowd, these Cheeseburger Cups are about to become your new go-to recipe. Made with seasoned ground beef, melty American cheese, and flaky biscuit dough baked into muffin tins, they deliver all the flavors of a juicy burger in bite-sized form.
Whether you’re hosting game day, planning a family movie night, or just want a creative twist on dinner, these mini cheeseburger cups hit every mark: easy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying.
Let’s dive in.
Why I Love This Recipe
There’s something about turning a classic into something unexpected that makes dinner feel exciting again. These cheeseburger cups check all the boxes:
- ✅ Ready in about 30 minutes
- ✅ Kid-approved and adult-loved
- ✅ Perfect for parties and potlucks
- ✅ Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
- ✅ No grill required
They remind me of the fun, build-your-own vibe of This Walking Taco Bar Is My Favorite No-Fuss Way to Feed a Crowd — but in adorable handheld burger form.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (16-ounce) tube jumbo biscuit dough (8 biscuits)
- 48 cubes American cheese (from the deli counter)
- 1 cup dill pickles, chopped
- 1½ cups shredded lettuce
- ½ cup diced onion (for topping)
Ingredient Swaps & Notes
Ground Beef:
You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version.
Cheese:
American cheese melts beautifully, but cheddar cubes or Colby Jack also work well.
Biscuit Dough:
Refrigerated biscuit dough keeps this recipe quick and foolproof. Crescent dough can work in a pinch, but the texture will be slightly different.
Add-Ins:
Want to spice things up? Try adding:
- A dash of Worcestershire sauce
- Crumbled cooked bacon
- Finely diced jalapeños
How to Make Cheeseburger Cups
1. Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray two muffin tins generously with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Biscuit Cups
Place the biscuits on a cutting board and cut each one in half. Press each piece flat and gently press into the muffin tins to form little dough cups. Set aside.
3. Cook the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well and remove from heat.
4. Fill the Cups
Place one cube of American cheese into each biscuit cup.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture into each cup, gently packing it in.
5. First Bake
Bake for 6–7 minutes.
6. Add More Cheese
Remove from the oven and press another cube of cheese into each cup.
Return to the oven and bake for 7–8 more minutes, or until the biscuit edges are golden brown.
7. Cool & Serve
Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tins.
Top with chopped pickles, diced onions, and shredded lettuce. Serve warm.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overfill the cups — the biscuit dough needs space to puff up.
- Grease the tins well to avoid sticking.
- Let them cool slightly before removing so they hold their shape.
- For extra browning, brush the biscuit edges lightly with melted butter before baking.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These cheeseburger cups are perfect as a main dish or party appetizer.
Serve them alongside:
- A crisp side salad
- French fries or tater tots
- Coleslaw
- Pasta salad
For a fun weeknight spread, pair them with This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut if you’re feeding a hungry crowd.
Hosting a gathering? Start with This Baked Brie Appetizer Is My Favorite Effortless Way to Impress Guests and finish strong with This Brownie Batter Dip Is My Favorite No-Bake Dessert for Instant Chocolate Cravings.
And if you’re building out a comfort food menu, you can’t go wrong adding These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)
Makes 16 cheeseburger cups.
Per cup:
- Calories: ~210
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Sodium: 420mg
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Storage & Leftover Tips
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes for best texture. The microwave works too, but the biscuit may soften.
Freezing:
You can freeze them without toppings. Wrap individually and freeze up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these cheeseburger cups, you’ll also love:
- This Walking Taco Bar Is My Favorite No-Fuss Way to Feed a Crowd
- This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut
- These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners
- This Baked Brie Appetizer Is My Favorite Effortless Way to Impress Guests
- This Brownie Batter Dip Is My Favorite No-Bake Dessert for Instant Chocolate Cravings
Final Thoughts
These Cheeseburger Cups are proof that simple ingredients can create something seriously fun and memorable. They’re easy enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough for parties. And once you make them once, you’ll start thinking of endless variations.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how you customized it! Leave a comment, share your twist, and follow along for more easy, crowd-pleasing recipes.
– Jason Griffith
ChefManiac.com
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