Game Day Food: All American Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

To be honest with you, the big game is probably more about the food than the game to me!

I haven't really been keeping up with the games this year, but still enjoy a good party.  Who doesn't?

It gives me an excuse to make some great food and share it with friends.  So we'll be watching the game (and the commercials) this weekend like so many others.

I like to serve a variety of foods that we can nosh on throughout the game.  That usually entails some dips, chips, and veggies.  Stuff that you don't have to cook.  Then during half time I cook up a couple of items like mini pizzas or some perfect All American Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders.

So today I'm sharing with you my recipe for this small version of an American classic.  You can't go wrong with bacon and cheese on a juicy hamburger.  And to create a small version that is so cute...they scream party food!

What's your favorite party food?

Excellent dips to make:

•  Black Bean Salsa
•  Chunky Guacamole
•  Sweet Onion Salsa
•  Kopanisti - Greek Feta Spread

All American Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Makes 12 sliders

12 slices of center cut bacon
1 lb ground sirloin
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
kosher salt and pepper
6 slices of American cheese
12 slider buns or dinner rolls, split in half
Condiments as desired

In a large skillet cook bacon in batches over medium heat until crisp.  Repeat until all bacon is cooked. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined pan.  Drain most of the grease from the skillet keeping about 2 tablespoons.

Add ground sirloin, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce to a bowl.  Mix gently to distribute the seasoning.  Season with salt and pepper, mix again gently.  Using about 1/4 cup of meat mixture form patties.

Cook patties in the skillet with the bacon fat over medium heat about 3-4 minutes, then flip.  Place a slice of cheese on top of each patty and place a lid over the skillet to help the cheese melt.  Cook about 3 minutes until done.  This may be done in batches as well.

Toast slider buns halves under the broiler on a cookie sheet.  To assemble, put your favorite condiments on top of the bottom bun, top with a patty, add the bacon, criss-crossed, add any additional condiments and top with the top bun.  Serve hot.