These Juicy Oven Baked Cheeseburgers are the ultimate hack for feeding a crowd without standing over a hot grill or dealing with grease splatter on the stovetop. By baking the patties on a wire rack, you ensure even cooking and a tender, juicy interior every single time.
With a simple homemade seasoning blend and perfectly melted American cheese, this hassle-free method produces a classic burger that is perfect for busy weeknights or rainy days when grilling isn’t an option.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: These burgers feature a classic savory beef flavor enhanced by a blend of onion, garlic, and paprika, finished with the creamy saltiness of melted cheese.
- Texture: The 80/20 ground chuck ensures the patties stay incredibly moist and juicy, while the wire rack allows the heat to circulate for an even texture without the meat sitting in grease.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 25 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. It is as simple as forming patties and putting them in the oven.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Crucially, you need a wire cooling rack (or a broiling pan) to place inside the baking sheet; this elevates the meat so it bakes rather than boils in its own juices. A meat thermometer is also highly recommended to ensure perfect doneness.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef – 1 ½ lbs of ground beef. 80/20 ground chuck is preferred because the fat content keeps the burgers juicy during the baking process. Leaner meat may dry out.
- Spices – A homemade blend of salt, paprika, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder acts as a perfect all-purpose burger seasoning.
- American Cheese – Slices of American cheese are the gold standard for cheeseburgers because of their superior melting capabilities.
- Hamburger Buns – Use your favorite standard buns, brioche buns, or potato rolls.
- Non-stick Spray – Essential for coating the wire rack so the burgers don’t stick.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Cheese – If you aren’t a fan of American cheese, sharp cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack are excellent alternatives.
- Toppings – Customize your burger with crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard, or mayo.
- Seasoning – If you have a favorite steak rub or burger seasoning, you can substitute the individual spices listed.
How to Make Juicy Oven Baked Cheeseburgers
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire cooling rack or broiling pan on top of the baking sheet and coat it thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix the salt, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until thoroughly combined.
- Form Patties: Divide the ground beef into 5 or 6 evenly sized portions. Gently form them into patties. (Avoid overworking the meat to keep them tender). Season the patties all over with the prepared seasoning blend.
- Arrange: Place the seasoned patties on top of the prepared wire rack. Ensure they are not touching to allow air to circulate.
- Bake: Cook in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your patties.
- Melt Cheese: The burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Once cooked, place a slice of American cheese on top of each patty and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until melted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven. Place the cheeseburgers on buns with any desired additional toppings and serve immediately.
Pro Tip: Using a wire rack is the secret to a good oven burger. If you place the patties directly on the foil, they will boil in the rendered fat and have a greasier, boiled texture. The rack allows the fat to drip away while the hot air cooks the meat evenly.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overwork the Meat: When forming your patties, handle the beef as little as possible. Compacting it too tightly will result in dense, tough burgers.
- Indent the Centers: Although baking causes less shrinkage than grilling, pressing a small dimple into the center of each raw patty can help them stay flat rather than puffing up into meatballs.
- Use a Thermometer: Oven temperatures vary. The best way to ensure safety without drying out the meat is to check for that 160°F internal temperature.
FAQs
- Can I use lean ground beef? You can, but be aware that the burgers will be drier. 80/20 chuck is recommended for the best flavor and moisture.
- Why bake at 375°F? This temperature is the sweet spot where the meat cooks through evenly without burning the outside before the inside is safe to eat.
- Do I need to flip them? No! Because they are on a wire rack, the heat circulates underneath the patties, so there is no need to flip them halfway through.
Serving Suggestions
- Fries: Serve with oven-baked french fries or sweet potato wedges (which you can bake on a separate rack at the same time).
- Salad: A creamy coleslaw or potato salad makes for a classic side dish.
- Vegetables: Corn on the cob is a great summer pairing for these indoor burgers.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can mix the spices and form the patties earlier in the day. Keep the raw patties covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.
- Freezing: You can freeze the shaped, raw patties (separated by parchment paper) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
Juicy Oven Baked Cheeseburgers
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 Burgers 1x
Description
These Juicy Oven Baked Cheeseburgers are the ultimate hack for feeding a crowd without standing over a hot grill or dealing with grease splatter on the stovetop. By baking the patties on a wire rack, you ensure even cooking and a tender, juicy interior every single time. With a simple homemade seasoning blend and perfectly melted American cheese, this hassle-free method produces a classic burger that is perfect for busy weeknights or rainy days when grilling isn’t an option.
Ingredients
The Burger Base
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20 ground chuck is preferred for juiciness)
- 6 slices American cheese
- 6 hamburger buns (brioche, potato rolls, or classic sesame)
- Non-stick cooking spray (for the rack)
The Seasoning Blend
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire cooling rack (oven-safe) inside the baking sheet. Crucial Step: Spray the wire rack thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Make Seasoning
In a small bowl, mix the salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until combined.
Form Patties
Divide the ground beef into 5 or 6 evenly sized portions. Gently form them into patties. Tip: Avoid overworking the meat to keep them tender. Press a small dimple into the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up into balls.
Season & Arrange
Season the patties generously on all sides with the spice blend. Place them on the prepared wire rack, ensuring they are not touching so air can circulate.
Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes. No Flip Needed: Because they are on a rack, hot air cooks them from all sides, so you do not need to flip them. Doneness: They are ready when the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Melt Cheese
Place a slice of American cheese on top of each patty. Return to the oven for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Serve
Remove from the oven. Place patties on buns with your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
Why a Wire Rack? This is the secret to a good oven burger. If you place patties directly on the foil, they boil in their own rendered fat and turn out greasy and grey. The rack allows the fat to drip away while the hot air roasts the meat.
Meat Selection: Stick to 80/20 ground chuck. Since baking is a dryer heat than frying, the fat content is essential to keep the burgers moist. Leaner beef will result in dry, crumbly burgers.
Oven Temp: 375°F is the sweet spot. It cooks the meat through evenly without burning the outside before the center is safe to eat.
Make Ahead: You can mix the spices and form the raw patties earlier in the day. Keep them covered in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cheeseburger (with bun)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: oven baked burgers, sheet pan cheeseburgers, how to cook burgers in oven, easy family dinner, no mess burgers, 30 minute meals, indoor grilling
