Description
These Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls are the ultimate party appetizer or weeknight dinner! 🍔 Juicy meatballs coated in marinara sauce, topped with gooey melted mozzarella, and baked to golden perfection inside soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls. Brushed with garlic butter, these sliders are irresistibly delicious and ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 egg, beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Sauce:
1 ½ cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
For Assembling the Sliders:
12-pack Hawaiian rolls
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced
3 tbsp butter, melted
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Meatballs (Skip if Using Store-Bought)
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until just combined.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add marinara sauce and red pepper flakes, stirring occasionally.
Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce until evenly coated.
Step 3: Assemble the Sliders
Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping them connected.
Place the bottom half of the rolls in a baking dish.
Arrange the saucy meatballs evenly on top.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the meatballs.
Place the top half of the rolls back on.
Step 4: Brush and Bake
In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley.
Brush the tops of the rolls generously with the butter mixture.
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 2-5 minutes until golden brown.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Let the sliders cool slightly, then cut them apart.
Serve hot with extra marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy! 😋
Notes
- Shortcut: Use store-bought frozen meatballs to save time. Just heat them before tossing them in the sauce.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs and sauce a day in advance. Assemble and bake when ready to serve.
- Spicy Twist: Add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce for an extra kick.
- Cheese Options: Swap mozzarella for provolone, cheddar, or gouda for a different flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 sliders
- Calories: 220-250 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 12g