Meatball Sliders Recipe

These Italian Meatball Sliders are a quick and easy way and deliver big flavor to any table, whether it be a game day, having friends over, or just a fun weekday dinner!

Meatball sliders on a silver plate garnished with shaved parmesan cheese.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

When you get that first bite of meatball sliders, you get the softness of the bun, that tang of the tomato sauce, the mozzarella cheese mellows everything out … and then that super delicious meatball. Holy smokes!!

Sliders may be one of the quintessential food items for any kind of gathering. Whether that is just family, a game day weekend, or even a birthday party, sliders are a delicious way to feed a crowd.

We love sliders here. We have made several different kinds over the years, and all are simple and crazy delicious.

Meatball slider on a pewter plate.

It didn’t occur to us, though, until recently, that our meatballs would be perfect for this slider recipe.

Leigh does a beautiful job when she channels her Italian heritage and slams something out amazing. Her meatballs are so good.

I’d eat them every week, but for some reason (she likes to punish me), we only make them every now and then.

When the Super Bowl was coming up, we were thinking about what we were going to prepare. I am always about some roast beef sliders and/or smoked chicken wings.

She suggested that we make meatball sliders. Conversation over!

A Note About Meatballs

You can go about this two ways with your meatballs. You can get some store-bought, or you can make them.

We highly recommend that you make them. Our Italian meatballs use ground pork, not ground beef, making them very tender.

Easy Baked Parmesan Meatballs - One pan at it's best! Mouthwatering,tender, juicy, Italian meatballs smothered in goodness!
Homemade meatballs are the BEST!

You can even make them the day before and use them the next day for an easier time.

You can find a link to the recipe here or in the recipe card below. But for the sake of this recipe, here are the ingredients you will need to make the meatballs.

Key Ingredients

  • Slider buns (12) – Choose your favorite.
  • Meatballs – You can use frozen meatballs, your own recipe, or try ours! We highly recommend making them yourself. They will taste so much better than pre-made meatballs.
  • Mozzarella cheese – You can use pre-sliced or slice your own. You can also use Provolone cheese.
  • Marinara sauce – Use fresh-made or store-bought favorite sauce.
  • Parmesan cheese – We prefer Pecorino Romano. Use good quality parmesan cheese, not the stuff in the green can.

Simple ingredients coming together to make some fabulous cheesy meatball sliders. YES!

How To Make Meatball Sliders

Prepare the meatballs according to the directions and set them aside. If you’re using store-bought, add the sauce and meatballs to a pan and heat for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the slider rolls evenly. Now, you can either separate them and then cut them or keep them whole and cut the entire package in one cut, whichever is easier.

Bottoms of buns in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
Cheese slices on top of the bottom buns.

Place the bottom halves of the slider buns into a 9×13 baking dish.

Lay 6 pieces of mozzarella cheese across the bottoms of the slider buns.

Meatballs topped with marinara on the bottom buns.
Cheese slices on top of the meatballs.

Put about a tablespoon of marinara sauce down on each slider section, then place meatballs on top of that.

Next, add an additional tablespoon of sauce on top of the meatballs.

Top the meatballs and tomato sauce with the remaining six slices of cheese.

Assembled meatball sliders about to go into the oven.

Place the tops of the slider buns on top of all the goodness. Quickly melt butter and add the Italian seasoning to it.

Brush the tops of the buns with the melted butter mixture. Top with the optional shredded parmesan cheese.

Lightly cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10-12 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the tops are nice and toasted and the cheese is melting.

Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. After that, grab a spatula or small knife and start serving up.

A meatball slider being removed from the 9x13 inch baking dish.
Big flavor for the big game!

When it comes to quick and easy, fun party food, meatball sliders are a great way to go. They’re easy to prepare, and they’re freaking good!

Meatball sliders on a pewter plate.
They’re like tiny meatball subs!

Honestly, two of these things put me in a beautiful, saucy food coma.

So, if you’re looking for something quick and easy that delivers big flavors, give this super easy meatball and parmesan sliders recipe a try!

The melty cheese, the tender, juicy meatballs … it’s the perfect bite! The whole family will gobble them up!

Tips And Variations

  • Sliders with a Twist – Use King’s Hawaiian rolls (or any Hawaiian sweet rolls), Texas toast, dinner rolls, or even garlic bread instead of slider buns.
  • Meat – You can lighten it up by using ground turkey or chicken.
  • Add More Flavor – Toss in some garlic powder in the melted butter to make tasty garlic butter for the tops of the buns. Top the meatball with fresh basil.
  • Add Some Heat – A sprinkle of red pepper flakes on the meatballs will give you a hit of spiciness.

FAQs

Do you cook the meatballs first?

Yes, this recipe calls for cooked and warmed meatballs. When you are ready to serve, warm the meatballs and sauce thoroughly, then proceed with the recipe.

Can these be made ahead?

Do not assemble them ahead. The bread will get soggy. But you can make the meatballs ahead.

What to serve with meatball sliders?

They are perfect served alone or as an appetizer. You can also serve them with a salad, chips, french fries, or even a pasta salad.

Other Slider Recipes

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Meatball sliders on a silver plate garnished with shaved parmesan cheese.

Meatball Sliders Recipe

Quick and easy way to deliver big flavor to any table whether it be a game day, having friends over or just a fun weekday dinner!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Party Food
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 240kcal
Author: Brad Harris

Ingredients
 

  • 12 Meatballs
  • 12 Slider buns
  • 2 cups Tomato sauce Your favorite
  • 12 slices Mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp Butter melted
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Prepare meatballs as per instructions. If using store-bought, add sauce and meatballs to a pan and heat for 10 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cut slider buns so you have tops and bottoms.
  • Place bottoms in a 9×13 inch baking dish
  • Place 6 slices of mozzarella cheese down on the slider buns, covering them.
  • Add a dab of marinara sauce on each slider bun bottom
  • Add a meatball to each slider bun bottom
  • Add a dab of marinara sauce on top of the meatball
  • Add remaining 6 slices of mozzarella cheese, covering all the meatballs
  • Place tops of slider buns on top
  • Melt the butter and add the Italian seasoning to it
  • Brush the butter mixture over the tops of the slider buns
  • Top buns with parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10-12 minutes
  • Remove aluminum foil and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until buns are golden and cheese is melting
  • Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

These are best fresh out of the oven. Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Cover with aluminum foil to reheat in a 350-degree F oven until warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 430mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 441IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 2mg

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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