I love making these Hawaiian roll roast beef and cheese sandwiches because they bring everyone together around the table. The soft, sweet rolls combined with savory roast beef and melty cheese make for a perfect warm snack or meal. I can’t wait for you to try them and see how easy and tasty they are!
If you don’t usually have Hawaiian rolls at home, you can find them in most supermarkets near the sandwich bread or sweet rolls section. Worcestershire sauce might be new to some, but it’s a flavorful sauce that adds a little tang and depth to the butter mixture. Poppy seeds are tiny and add a nice crunch, and you can usually find them in the baking aisle.
Ingredients For Hawaiian Roll Roast Beef And Cheese Sandwiches
Hawaiian rolls: Soft, slightly sweet rolls that make these sandwiches extra special.
Roast beef: Thinly sliced, savory meat that adds a hearty flavor.
Cheese: Your choice of cheese slices, which melt perfectly in the oven.
Melted butter: Used to mix with other ingredients and pour over the sandwiches for a golden finish.
Mustard: Adds a little tang and spice to the butter mixture.
Worcestershire sauce: A savory sauce that gives the sandwiches a rich, slightly tangy flavor.
Poppy seeds: Tiny seeds that add a subtle crunch and a bit of texture.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
One of the key steps in this Hawaiian Roll Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwiches recipe is mixing and pouring the butter sauce over the sandwiches. Here’s how to do it so everything turns out just right:
- Start with melted butter—make sure it’s warm but not too hot, so it mixes easily.
- Add the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds into a small bowl.
- Stir everything together gently until it’s well combined.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the top of the sandwiches, making sure to cover all the rolls.
Doing this step carefully helps the sandwiches soak up all those flavors while baking. The butter keeps the rolls soft and gives them a golden, slightly crispy top. The mustard and Worcestershire sauce add a little tang and depth, while the poppy seeds give a nice crunch and a pretty look.
When I first made this, I poured the sauce too quickly and it pooled in one spot, making some rolls soggy. Now, I take my time and pour slowly, moving the bowl around so every sandwich gets a little sauce. It makes a big difference! Also, if you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, a splash of soy sauce or even a little vinegar can work in a pinch.
This simple sauce is what really brings the whole sandwich together, turning it from just a stack of roast beef and cheese into something warm, tasty, and special. Plus, it’s fun to watch the tops turn golden in the oven!
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
hawaiian rolls - Substitute with brioche buns: Brioche buns have a similar sweetness and soft texture, making them an excellent alternative to Hawaiian rolls.
hawaiian rolls - Substitute with potato rolls: Potato rolls are soft and slightly sweet, providing a comparable taste and texture to Hawaiian rolls.
sliced roast beef - Substitute with sliced turkey: Sliced turkey offers a mild flavor and tender texture, making it a suitable replacement for roast beef.
sliced roast beef - Substitute with sliced ham: Sliced ham provides a savory taste and pairs well with cheese, similar to roast beef.
your choice cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone cheese melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.
your choice cheese - Substitute with cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese offers a sharp flavor and creamy texture, enhancing the sandwich's taste.
melted butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used to add moisture and flavor without the dairy component of butter.
melted butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine provides a similar texture and richness as butter, suitable for those avoiding dairy.
mustard - Substitute with dijon mustard: Dijon mustard has a smooth texture and tangy flavor, similar to regular mustard.
mustard - Substitute with honey mustard: Honey mustard adds a touch of sweetness while maintaining the tangy flavor of mustard.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a savory umami flavor, similar to Worcestershire sauce.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar offers a tangy and slightly sweet flavor, which can mimic the complexity of Worcestershire sauce.
poppy seeds - Substitute with sesame seeds: Sesame seeds provide a similar nutty flavor and crunchy texture as poppy seeds.
poppy seeds - Substitute with chia seeds: Chia seeds offer a similar appearance and slight crunch, making them a good alternative to poppy seeds.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Sandwich
How to Store or Freeze These Sandwiches
Allow the Hawaiian roll roast beef and cheese sandwiches to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they stay fresh and prevents them from sticking together.
Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This adds an extra layer of protection against air and moisture.
Store the sandwiches in the refrigerator if you plan to eat them within 3-4 days. This keeps the roast beef and cheese at a safe temperature.
For longer storage, place the wrapped sandwiches in the freezer. They can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing quality.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the sandwiches in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the Hawaiian rolls.
Reheat the sandwiches in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are warmed through.
For a quick option, use a microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, though this may result in a softer texture.
If you prefer a crispy top, consider reheating the sandwiches uncovered for the last few minutes in the oven.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the leftover Hawaiian Roll Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwiches in aluminum foil to keep them moist. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melty and the roast beef is warmed through.
For a quick fix, use a microwave. Place the sandwiches on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Heat on medium power for about 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even warming.
If you have a toaster oven, it's a great option to maintain the crispy texture of the Hawaiian rolls. Set the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C), place the sandwiches inside, and heat for about 10 minutes until the tops are golden and the insides are warm.
For a stovetop method, use a skillet over medium-low heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet, cover with a lid, and allow them to heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method helps keep the cheese gooey and the roast beef juicy.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 320°F (160°C). Place the sandwiches in the basket and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method will give you a delightful crunch on the outside while keeping the inside perfectly warm.
Essential Tools for Making These Sandwiches
Oven: Used to bake the sandwiches, ensuring the cheese melts and the tops become golden brown.
Baking dish: Holds the sandwiches in place while they bake, allowing for even cooking.
Knife: Used to cut the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally.
Small bowl: Used to mix the melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds.
Aluminum foil: Covers the sandwiches while baking to prevent them from browning too quickly.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds accurately.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the melted butter.
Pastry brush: Optional tool to evenly spread the butter mixture over the sandwiches, if not pouring directly.
How to Save Time on Making These Sandwiches
Prepare ingredients in advance: Slice the roast beef and cheese ahead of time. Keep them in airtight containers in the fridge.
Use pre-sliced cheese: Opt for pre-sliced cheese to save time on cutting and ensure even melting.
Melt butter in microwave: Quickly melt the butter in the microwave instead of on the stove to speed up the process.
Assemble sandwiches quickly: Lay out all components before starting. This makes the assembly of Hawaiian rolls, roast beef, and cheese faster.
Mix sauce in advance: Combine mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds with melted butter beforehand.

Hawaiian Roll Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- ½ lb Roast beef sliced
- 12 slices Cheese your choice
- ¼ cup Butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottom halves in a baking dish.
- Layer the roast beef and cheese on the bottom halves of the rolls. Place the top halves back on.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds. Pour over the sandwiches.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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