American Football Oval Burger

Featured in: Hearty Dinners

This dish features juicy ground beef patties shaped like footballs, grilled and topped with melted cheddar. Assembled with fresh tomato, romaine lettuce, and ketchup-mayo spreads on mini buns, each burger is decorated with cream cheese laces resembling a football. Serve the platter with onion rings, pickles, and crispy fries or chips for a lively presentation. Fast to prepare and perfect for casual gatherings.

Vegetarian options can swap plant-based patties, and sesame seeds add extra touch to buns. Easy grilling and simple layering make these mini football burgers a crowd-pleaser.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:31:00 GMT
Delicious American Football Oval Burger Platter with melted cheese alongside crispy fries and pickles. Save It
Delicious American Football Oval Burger Platter with melted cheese alongside crispy fries and pickles. | sunnyspoonful.com

A playful and hearty platter featuring mini burgers shaped like American footballs—perfect for game day gatherings or themed parties.

This recipe is always a hit during our game day gatherings, bringing fun and flavor together in every bite.

Ingredients

  • For the Burgers: 500 g ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness), 1 small onion finely chopped, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • For Shaping and Assembling: 12 mini burger buns (oval-shaped if available or regular buns trimmed to shape), 6 slices cheddar cheese halved, 1 large tomato sliced, 6 leaves romaine lettuce halved, 3 tbsp ketchup, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 egg white (for football lacing decoration), 2 tbsp cream cheese softened (for piping laces)
  • Garnishes: 1 small red onion sliced into rings, Pickle slices, French fries or potato chips

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large bowl combine ground beef onion garlic Worcestershire sauce salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
Step 2:
Divide the mixture into 12 portions. Shape each into an oval football shape flattening slightly to fit the buns.
Step 3:
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 2–3 minutes per side or until cooked through.
Step 4:
In the last minute of cooking place half a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty. Cover to melt.
Step 5:
Toast the buns lightly.
Step 6:
Spread ketchup and mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun.
Step 7:
Layer with lettuce tomato and a cheese-topped patty. Add onion rings and pickles as desired.
Step 8:
Place the top bun then using a piping bag or a small plastic bag with the corner snipped off pipe football laces with cream cheese onto the top of each bun.
Step 9:
Arrange the mini football burgers on a large platter in an oval or football shape. Surround with fries or potato chips for presentation.
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Our family loves gathering around this platter especially on game days sharing stories and enjoying every bite together.

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauces and beverages. To keep burgers warm before serving cover loosely with foil.

Required Tools

Mixing bowl Grill pan or skillet Spatula Piping bag or small plastic bag Sharp knife

Allergen Information

Contains Gluten (buns) Dairy (cheese cream cheese) Egg. May contain Soy (Worcestershire sauce) Mustard (mayonnaise). Check all ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Enjoyable party food: a platter of perfectly shaped American Football Oval Burger Platter, ready to be devoured. Save It
Enjoyable party food: a platter of perfectly shaped American Football Oval Burger Platter, ready to be devoured. | sunnyspoonful.com

Enjoy the playful presentation and delicious taste that makes any occasion special.

Recipe FAQs

How do I shape the burgers like footballs?

Divide the meat mixture into portions and gently form each into an oval shape, flattening slightly to fit the buns perfectly.

What’s the best way to melt the cheese on the patties?

Place cheese slices on patties during the last minute of cooking and cover the pan briefly to allow melting.

Can I prepare these burgers ahead of time?

You can shape the patties in advance and keep them refrigerated, but cook them right before serving for best flavor.

How are the football laces made?

Use softened cream cheese piped onto the top bun with a piping bag or plastic bag to mimic football laces.

What sides pair well with this platter?

Onion rings, pickles, fries, or potato chips are ideal accompaniments that complement the flavors and presentation.

Are there alternatives for a vegetarian option?

Plant-based patties can easily substitute beef to create a vegetarian-friendly option without changing the assembly.

American Football Oval Burger

Hearty oval-shaped mini burgers with cheese, lettuce, and tomato, ideal for fun game day spreads.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Duration
40 mins
Authored by Lana Bright

Recipe Type Hearty Dinners

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Style American

Recipe Yield 6 Serving Size

Diet Preferences None specified

What You'll Need

Burgers

01 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
05 1 tsp salt
06 ½ tsp ground black pepper

Shaping and Assembling

01 12 mini burger buns (oval-shaped if available or trimmed to oval)
02 6 slices cheddar cheese, halved
03 1 large tomato, sliced
04 6 leaves romaine lettuce, halved
05 3 tbsp ketchup
06 3 tbsp mayonnaise
07 1 egg white
08 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened

Garnishes

01 1 small red onion, sliced into rings
02 Pickle slices
03 French fries or potato chips for serving

Directions

Step 01

Combine Burger Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper until just combined.

Step 02

Shape Patties: Divide the meat mixture into 12 portions and shape each into an oval resembling a football, flattening slightly to fit the buns.

Step 03

Cook Patties: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and cook patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side until fully cooked.

Step 04

Melt Cheese: During the last minute of cooking, place half a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty and cover to melt.

Step 05

Toast Buns: Lightly toast the burger buns.

Step 06

Assemble Burgers: Spread ketchup and mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun, then layer with lettuce, tomato slices, and the cheese-topped patty.

Step 07

Add Toppings: Top with red onion rings and pickle slices as desired, then cover with the top bun.

Step 08

Pipe Football Laces: Using a piping bag or small plastic bag with a snipped corner, pipe cream cheese laces onto each top bun, using the egg white to help adhere if needed.

Step 09

Plate and Serve: Arrange the mini football-shaped burgers on a serving platter and surround with fries or potato chips.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixing bowl
  • Grill pan or skillet
  • Spatula
  • Piping bag or small plastic bag
  • Sharp knife

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient to identify potential allergens, and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains gluten (buns), dairy (cheese, cream cheese), egg
  • May contain soy (Worcestershire sauce) and mustard (mayonnaise)

Nutrition Details (Per Serving)

This nutritional data is for reference only and isn't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 480
  • Fats: 26 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 34 grams
  • Proteins: 28 grams