Meatball Sliders Recipe
Add Preferred SourceThese meatball sliders pack all the best flavors—juicy meatballs, melty mozzarella, and buttery garlic rolls—into a fun, handheld treat. Perfect for busy weeknights, game-day spreads, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, they’re as easy to make as they are to devour. With simple ingredients and just a little prep, these sliders are guaranteed to impress every time!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you!
These sliders have quickly become a staple in my kitchen. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, whether served as a hearty snack or a fun dinner option. The rich marinara sauce and cheesy goodness pair perfectly with soft, buttery rolls, making them ideal for any season. I love customizing them with my favorite ingredients like extra spice, more cheese, or even a mix of meats.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Meatball Sliders
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
I’m here to walk you through the steps to make these easy and delicious meatball sliders. With just a little prep and a quick bake, you’ll have a dish everyone will love.
Prepare the Meatballs
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large bowl, mix lean ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, minced garlic, dried and fresh parsley, an egg, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Gently combine everything without overmixing. Shape the mixture into 12 evenly-sized meatballs and set them aside.
Cook the Meatballs
Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat with a little olive oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides. This step adds flavor, so don’t skip it!
Assemble the Sliders
Without separating the Hawaiian rolls, cut them in half horizontally using a serrated knife. Place the bottom half of the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce over the rolls, then place a meatball on each slider.
Add the Toppings
Spoon another ½ cup of marinara sauce over the meatballs and save the rest of the sauce for later.
Add slices of mozzarella cheese on top, then place the top half of the rolls back on.
Brush and Bake
Brush the tops of the rolls with melted unsalted butter, then sprinkle grated Parmesan, parsley, and Italian seasoning evenly on top.
Bake uncovered for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden. Serve warm with the remaining marinara sauce for dipping, and enjoy!
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon dried Parsley flakes
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
To assemble:
- 12 pack Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
- 12 mozzarella cheese slices
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1-2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic, parsley, water, egg, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs. Mix lightly until well combined. Shape into 12 meatballs.1 pound lean ground beef, Salt and pepper to taste, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 clove garlic, 1 tablespoon dried Parsley flakes, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 egg, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup parmesan cheese
- Grease a heavy skillet and bring to medium-high heat. Cook the meatballs until they are browned on all sides.
- Without separating the rolls, use a serrated knife to cut them in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13-inch pan. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce over the buns.2 cups marinara sauce, 12 pack Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
- Place a meatball on each slider. Spoon another ½ cup of sauce over the meatballs, reserving the remaining sauce for dipping. Layer the slices of cheese on top, then place the top half of the buns on top.12 mozzarella cheese slices
- Brush the top of the sliders with melted butter and sprinkle with grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning and parsley. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the buns are golden brown.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1-2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatballs: Gently combine the ingredients to keep them tender and juicy.
- Pre-browning is key: Browning the meatballs before baking adds an extra layer of flavor you don’t want to miss.
- Meat: Ground pork, chicken, or even turkey work well instead of beef. You can also mix meats for extra flavor.
- Marinara sauce: A high-quality sauce makes a big difference, so grab your favorite brand or make your own.
- Cheese: While mozzarella is classic, provolone, cheddar, smoky gouda, or even a mix of cheeses works beautifully.
- Add spice: Mix red pepper flakes or chopped chili into the marinara sauce or sprinkle some over the meatballs before baking for a spicy kick.
- Line your baking dish: A layer of foil makes cleanup a breeze, especially with all that melted cheese!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Wrap them tightly in foil or store them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, pop them in the oven at 325°F (165°C) until warmed through—this keeps them crispy and fresh!
- Freeze: To freeze, assemble the sliders but skip the baking. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen at 350°F (180°C), adding extra time as needed.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Tips
I’m here to make sure your meatball slider sandwiches turn out absolutely perfect. Keep these handy tips in mind:
- Don’t overmix the meatballs: Gently combine the ingredients to keep them tender and juicy.
- Pre-browning is key: Browning the meatballs before baking adds an extra layer of flavor you don’t want to miss.
- Meat: Ground pork, chicken, or even turkey work well instead of beef. You can also mix meats for extra flavor.
- Marinara sauce: A high-quality sauce makes a big difference, so grab your favorite brand or make your own.
- Cheese: While mozzarella is classic, provolone, cheddar, smoky gouda, or even a mix of cheeses works beautifully.
- Add spice: Mix red pepper flakes or chopped chili into the marinara sauce or sprinkle some over the meatballs before baking for a spicy kick.
- Line your baking dish: A layer of foil makes cleanup a breeze, especially with all that melted cheese!
How to Store Leftover Meatball Sliders
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, wrap them tightly in foil or store them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven at 325°F (165°C) until warmed through—this keeps them crispy and fresh!
To freeze, assemble the sliders but skip the baking. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen at 350°F (180°C), adding extra time as needed.
What to Serve With Meatball Sliders
Meatball sliders pair perfectly with a salad, or roasted veggies for a balanced meal.
For a party spread, try adding chips with buffalo chicken dip, a zesty pasta salad, or even sweet potato fries. Feeling fancy? Go for bacon jalapeno cheese balls or Korean corn dogs to really impress!
More Slider Recipes You Will Love
Looking for more sliders to make at home? Here are some of my favorites!
