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Italian Meatball Sliders

These are like meatball subs but in slider form – mini meatballs with marinara and mozzarella on dinner rolls. Perfect for when you want something hearty but handheld.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/4 lbs 80/20 ground beef
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 3/4 tsp freshly-cracked black pepper

Assembly

  • 1 1/4 cups marinara sauce
  • 12 dinner rolls or Hawaiian rolls
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese roughly torn
  • 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 12-24 fresh basil leaves

Garlic Butter

  • 1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 3/4 tsp minced fresh garlic
  • 3/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp minced fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  • Stir breadcrumbs and milk together and let sit 5-10 minutes until soft.
  • Add ground beef, onion, garlic, parsley, egg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper to breadcrumb mixture.
  • Mix with rubber spatula until just combined, being careful not to overwork.
  • Scoop into 1 Tbsp portions to make about 36 small meatballs.
  • Space on sheet pan and bake 14-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.
  • Grease a 9x13 pan and preheat oven to 350F.
  • Heat marinara sauce in a pot until hot, then toss cooked meatballs in sauce.
  • Cut rolls in half and line bottom halves in prepared pan.
  • Place 3 meatballs on each bottom roll and spoon remaining sauce over them.
  • Top with torn mozzarella and grated Parmesan, then add 1-2 basil leaves to each slider.
  • Place top rolls on and press down lightly.
  • Whisk melted butter with minced garlic, garlic powder, and parsley until smooth.
  • Brush garlic butter over tops of all rolls.
  • Cover with foil and bake 20-25 minutes, then uncover and bake 5 more minutes until tops are golden and cheese is melted.

Notes

Rolls should be slightly crispy on top but still soft inside.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below & let me know!