Description
These Meatball Sliders are a perfect savory snack or party appetizer featuring juicy meatballs nestled inside soft Hawaiian rolls, topped with melted mozzarella, marinara sauce, and a blend of garlic and Italian seasonings. Baked to golden perfection, these sliders are sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Rolls & Toppings
- 12 count Hawaiian rolls
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
Meatballs & Sauce
- 12 meatballs (fully cooked, thawed)
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a baking sheet by covering it with parchment paper or foil; if using foil, spray lightly to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Rolls: Arrange the Hawaiian rolls on the baking sheet. Cut a hole into the top of each roll and remove about a tablespoon of the center to create space for the meatball, ensuring the meatball will sit partly exposed on top.
- Make Garlic Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt. Brush this mixture both inside the hollowed-out area and over the tops of the rolls, pushing the garlic mix inside as well.
- Add Mozzarella: Press a small pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese inside each roll to add cheesy flavor at the base.
- Assemble Meatballs: Coat each fully cooked meatball with approximately 1/4 cup of marinara sauce. Place one meatball into each roll cavity, then spoon about 1 teaspoon of additional marinara sauce over the top of each meatball.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the sliders evenly with the remaining shredded mozzarella and the parmesan cheese to create a golden cheesy crust once baked.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking sheet with foil and bake the sliders in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to melt the cheese and warm through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to let the cheese brown and the tops crisp slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle the sliders with chopped fresh basil, parsley, or extra parmesan cheese as desired. Serve with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Using fully cooked and thawed meatballs speeds up preparation and ensures even cooking.
- Hawaiian rolls add a subtly sweet contrast to the savory meatballs and cheeses.
- Make sure not to remove too much bread from the rolls so they maintain structure around the meatball.
- Foil covering during the first part of baking helps the cheese melt without browning too quickly.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add bright flavor to balance the richness of the sliders.
