Meatball Sliders

Homemade Meatball Sliders

I've made all kinds of sliders this past year just to show you the sky’s the limit when it comes to how many you can actually think of.  If you can make a sandwich, you can make a slider.  They are perfect for small gatherings of friends and family or big parties or just for fun for the week.  So this time I’m making meatball sliders.  I think these are my favorite.  See my tips at the end of the recipe.

Meatball Sliders

1 lb ground beef

1 lb ground pork

3 teaspoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons of minced onion

⅓ cup fresh parsley

⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 ¼ cups Italian bread crumbs

2 eggs

¾ cup milk

1 tablespoon butter for frying

12 Hawaiian Sweet rolls

1 cup marinara sauce (or more if needed)

12 slices Provolone cheese

Topping

2 tablespoons melted butter

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon garlic salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. 

In a large bowl add the ground beef, ground pork, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, eggs, and milk and mix until thoroughly combined.

 

Scoop out mixture and roll the mixture into 5 ounce meatballs. I like to use a small ice cream scoop.

 

Add butter to a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides.  

 






I use a fork to flip them over constantly while browning. Don't worry about how perfect they are.... they will be covered up and will taste yummy!

Using a long serrated knife, slice the rolls evenly in half lengthwise. Do not separate.  Place the bottom half of the rolls in baking dish about the same size as the rolls or use a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. I like to pinch a little bit of bread from each bun so the meatball will nest on top and not roll off

Spoon a little marinara sauce on each bun. Top with a meatball on each roll. 

 

  

















Now add another spoonful of sauce on top of the meatballs.  You can add as much or as little as you like.  

Lay your cheese slices on top of the meatballs, some will overlap.  

 

Mix the melted butter and the garlic salt together in a small bowl. Place the remaining half of the rolls on top and brush them generously with melted butter.  Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan evenly over the butter mixture.

 

 

Cover with Foil and bake for 10 minutes.  Then uncover and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and tops are golden brown.

NOTES:   

You can use any cheese…. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Cheddar.  I prefer Provolone because it melts so nicely.

 

You can use any dinner roll.  I prefer Hawaiian Sweet rolls because they're so soft and they add just a hint of sweetness that send these sliders over the top.

You can use frozen meatballs if you want.  I prefer to make my own because it’s worth it.  Frozen meatballs tend to be dry and tough and seasoned poorly.  This recipe will produce moist and tender meatballs that melt in your mouth!  

You can use any tomato sauce or marinara sauce and I have used different ones with this recipe.  I prefer the new “Home Style Ragu Thick and Hearty Traditional.”  What a difference this one made!  Tastes just like homemade and it is so rich and hearty. It’s the perfect sauce.  Enjoy!

 










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