American Football Oval Burger

Featured in: Warm Earthy Dinners

This platter features mini oval-shaped burgers crafted from juicy ground beef blended with onion, garlic, and spices. Each patty is grilled and topped with melted cheddar before assembling on lightly toasted buns layered with crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, and bold garnishes such as onion rings and pickles. The highlight is the playful piping of cream cheese laces, mimicking a football design, adding an artistic touch to enhance presentation. Ideal for game day or themed parties, this dish blends hearty flavors with a festive format.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:55:00 GMT
American football oval burgers arranged on a platter, ready for a game day celebration, with golden fries. Save
American football oval burgers arranged on a platter, ready for a game day celebration, with golden fries. | cocoaferns.com

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

This platter is always a hit when I serve it to friends during football season. The fun shapes and flavors never disappoint.

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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| cocoaferns.com

My family loves gathering around to eat these football-shaped burgers together, making every game day extra special.

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.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 480. Total Fat: 26 g. Carbohydrates: 34 g. Protein: 28 g per serving (2 mini burgers).

Juicy American football oval burgers, cheese melting over the patties, sit ready to be enjoyed with friends. Save
Juicy American football oval burgers, cheese melting over the patties, sit ready to be enjoyed with friends. | cocoaferns.com

These mini football burgers are a touchdown treat that brings friends and family together. Enjoy the game and the delicious bites!

Recipe FAQs

How can I shape the patties evenly?

Divide the meat mixture into equal portions and gently mold into oval shapes using your hands or a mold to ensure consistent sizing.

What is a good alternative for the piping decoration?

Softened cream cheese works well, or you can use a thin strip of mayonnaise applied with a piping bag to create football laces.

Can these mini burgers be made ahead?

Yes, patties can be prepared and shaped in advance, then cooked just before serving to retain juiciness.

What buns work best for oval-shaped burgers?

Oval-shaped buns are ideal, but regular mini buns trimmed to an oval can effectively serve the purpose.

How to keep burgers warm before serving?

Cover the cooked patties loosely with aluminum foil to maintain warmth without steaming the buns.

American Football Oval Burger

Mini oval beef burgers with cheddar, fresh veggies, and creamy laces, perfect for lively get-togethers.

Prep Time
25 minutes
Time to Cook
15 minutes
Overall Time
40 minutes
Author: Maya Larkson

Recipe Category Warm Earthy Dinners

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 6 Servings Amount

Diet Details None specified

What You Need

For the 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

For Shaping and Assembling

01 12 mini burger buns (oval-shaped if available or trimmed to shape)
02 6 slices cheddar cheese, halved
03 1 large tomato, sliced
04 6 romaine lettuce leaves, 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

Directions

Step 01

Combine burger ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until just combined.

Step 02

Shape patties: Divide mixture into 12 portions. Form each into an oval football shape, flattening slightly to fit buns.

Step 03

Cook patties: Heat grill pan or skillet over medium-high. Cook patties 2–3 minutes per side until fully cooked.

Step 04

Melt cheese: Place half a slice of cheddar on each patty in the last minute of cooking. Cover pan to melt cheese.

Step 05

Toast buns: Lightly toast the mini burger buns.

Step 06

Add condiments: Spread ketchup and mayonnaise on bottom halves of buns.

Step 07

Assemble burgers: Layer bottom bun with lettuce, tomato, cheese-topped patty, onion rings, and pickles as desired.

Step 08

Pipe football laces: Place top bun over each burger. Using a piping bag, pipe football laces with cream cheese onto each bun using egg white as base.

Step 09

Arrange platter: Arrange the mini burgers on a large platter in an oval or football shape, surrounded by fries or chips.

Kitchen Tools Needed

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

Allergy Info

Always check every ingredient for allergens. If you're not sure, talk to a health expert.
  • Contains gluten (buns), dairy (cheese, cream cheese), egg. May contain soy (Worcestershire sauce) and mustard (mayonnaise). Check ingredient labels.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutrition info shown is for guidance only. It cannot replace medical advice.
  • Calorie Count: 480
  • Fats: 26 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 28 g