Derby Day Hot Brown Sliders (Printable)

Soft rolls topped with turkey, bacon, Roma tomatoes, and creamy Mornay sauce for festive gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Sliders

01 - 12 soft slider rolls, such as Hawaiian rolls or brioche
02 - 2 cups cooked turkey breast, sliced or shredded
03 - 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and halved
04 - 1 cup Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ For the Mornay Sauce

06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
11 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
13 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ For Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set oven to 350°F and allow to fully preheat.
02 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly golden. Slowly whisk in milk and cream while stirring continuously. Cook until thickened, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until completely smooth. Set aside.
03 - Split slider rolls horizontally and arrange bottom halves in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.
04 - Distribute turkey evenly over roll bases, followed by tomato slices and bacon pieces in successive layers.
05 - Pour Mornay sauce evenly over layered fillings. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese across the top.
06 - Place top roll halves over the filling to complete each slider assembly.
07 - Cover baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and bake an additional 5 to 7 minutes until tops are lightly browned and cheese is bubbling.
09 - Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve while warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Perfect party food that feeds a crowd without fuss
  • Classic Kentucky flavors in an easy, handheld format
  • Rich, creamy Mornay sauce elevates simple ingredients
  • Bakes all together for minimal last-minute prep
  • Impressive presentation with comforting, familiar taste
02 -
  • Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest Mornay sauce—pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy
  • Cook the bacon until very crispy; it will soften slightly as the sliders bake
  • Let the turkey come to room temperature before assembling to ensure even heating
  • Don't skip the foil cover during the first bake—it keeps the tops from drying out
  • These can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated; add 5 minutes to the covered baking time if baking from cold
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