Description
These Pull Apart Meatball Sliders are a delightful and savory party favorite featuring juicy, seasoned meatballs nestled inside soft Hawaiian slider buns. Topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and a garlicky butter glaze, they are perfect for game day, family gatherings, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Slider Buns and Toppings
- 12 Hawaiian slider rolls (or slider buns or dinner rolls)
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp parsley (minced)
- 1 tbsp parsley (minced)
- 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 tbsp fresh basil (minced)
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1/2 medium onion (shredded or finely minced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1.5 tbsp Italian seasoning (or ½ tbsp each dried oregano, basil, and parsley)
- 2 tbsp milk
- Cut out bread from slider buns (reserved from slicing the buns)
Sauce and Cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store bought)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded), divided into 1/2 cup portions
Instructions
- Prepare the Slider Buns: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the slider buns on it. Using a knife, slice a hole into the top of each bun about two-thirds of the way through. Keep the cut-out bread pieces in a small bowl for later use.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and minced parsley. Brush this flavorful mixture over the tops, sides, and inside the holes of each bun for an even coating.
- Toast the Buns: Place the prepared buns on the baking sheet into the oven and toast for 5 minutes until they are lightly golden and fragrant.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Pour 2 tablespoons of milk over the reserved cut-out bread pieces, mashing them into small pieces with a fork. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, grated Parmesan, shredded onion, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, and soaked bread crumbs until well combined. Divide this mixture into 12 even portions and shape each into a meatball.
- Cook the Meatballs (select one method): For stovetop, heat splashes of oil in a frying pan over medium heat, cook meatballs in batches, browning all sides and cooking through about 5-8 minutes. For oven, preheat to 400°F and bake on a parchment-lined sheet for 20-25 minutes. For air fryer, preheat to 400°F and air fry meatballs in batches for 8-12 minutes until cooked through.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Transfer the cooked meatballs into a large bowl and pour the marinara sauce over them. Toss gently until all meatballs are well coated in the sauce.
- Assemble the Sliders: Place 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese divided evenly on the bottom halves of each toasted slider bun. Top each with a sauced meatball, then spoon additional marinara sauce over the meatball. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the meatballs.
- Melt the Cheese: Return the assembled sliders to the oven set at 350°F and bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan, fresh basil, and parsley over the sliders for extra flavor and a beautiful presentation. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious pull apart meatball sliders!
Notes
- You can choose to cook the meatballs on the stovetop, in the oven, or air fryer depending on your preference and convenience.
- Hawaiian rolls provide a subtle sweetness that complements the savory meatballs, but any soft slider roll works well.
- For a spicier slider, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture or marinara sauce.
- Make sure not to fully slice through the buns to keep the sliders intact for easy pull apart serving.
- These sliders can be prepared ahead of time and reheated gently in the oven before serving.
