Meatball Sliders

Easy homemade meatballs, cooked in marinara and served on slider buns make Meatball Sliders a tasty addition to any game day or party.

Your taste buds are in for a treat because today, I’m sharing one of my all-time favorites – Meatball Sliders. Imagine the comfort of homemade meatballs, smothered in rich tomato sauce, nestled between perfectly toasted buns, and crowned with molten mozzarella cheese.

I’ve always been a big fan of sliders. They’re a great little portion of a meaty sandwich. I’d never made meatball sliders before this recipe, though! One bite and I was hooked.

Perfect for game day, family gatherings, or just when you’re craving a hearty snack, these sliders are a surefire hit every single time.

This is the ultimate guide to creating the most delectable Meatball Sliders! Whether you’re planning a game day feast or looking for the perfect snack for movie night, these sliders are just the ticket.

Easy to make, packed with flavor, and with the potential to customize to your heart’s desire, there’s no reason not to try them out.

Remember, cooking is all about having fun and experimenting, so feel free to put your own spin on this recipe. Happy cooking, and enjoy every bite!

Common Questions About Meatball Sliders

Can I use premade meatballs?

Sure can! If you’re in a rush, premade meatballs work. But for the best results, making them from scratch is always a win.

Can these be turned into meatball subs?

Absolutely! Swap the slider buns for longer bread rolls, and you have yourself some scrumptious meatball subs.

How do I make them garlicky?

Brush the slider rolls with a mix of melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning before baking. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!

Storage

I like to store the buns and meatballs separately to keep them from getting soggy. If you have already made sliders, though, feel free to refrigerate them. They may be a little soggy, but they’ll still taste great!

Refrigerator

In an airtight container, store any leftover sliders. They’re best consumed within 3-4 days.

Freezer

For a longer shelf-life, wrap each slider in aluminum foil and place in a freezer bag. They can last for up to a month. When ready to eat, heat the oven and bake until they’re golden brown and delicious.

Tips

I’m a fan of Rao’s sauces, but you can use whatever brand of marinara you like best. Oh and don’t skimp on the cheese. These little guys are best served with plenty of gooey mozzarella!

• For extra flavorful meatballs, let the meatball ingredients sit together for about 10-15 minutes before shaping them.
• Hawaiian sweet rolls or King’s Hawaiian rolls can add a subtle sweetness to the sliders.
• Always avoid crowding the skillet for evenly browned meatballs.
• Want some heat? Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to your marinara sauce!

Ingredients

Though you can certainly do frozen meatballs for convenience, I would highly recommend making your own. Homemade meatballs really bring this dish home!

• Ground beef
• Plain breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Fresh garlic, minced
• Onion powder
• Salt and black pepper
• Olive oil
• Marinara sauce
• Slider rolls or dinner rolls
• Mozzarella cheese slices

How to Make Meatball Sliders

I love how the cheese melts on the meatballs. Every bite you take pulls out strings of yummy, gooey cheese. This combined with the awesome flavor of the meatballs and marinara? Oh, it’s just plain tasty!

1. In a large bowl, combine the beef, breadcrumbs, milk, garlic, onion powder, salt and black pepper. Shape the mixture into 24 meatballs.
2. In a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add the oil and swirl around the pan to coat. 
3. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook the meatballs in batches, being careful not to crowd the skillet, until browned on all sides.
4. Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Add all of the meatballs to the skillet and pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs.
5. Cover the skillet and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Place one meatball on the bottom of each slider bun and immediately top the meatball with half a slice of mozzarella cheese. Spoon any remaining sauce over the sliders prior to topping with the bun.

Notes: I used a large cookie scoop to portion the meatballs. The meatballs can also be baked in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes prior to simmering in the sauce.

Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Meatball Sliders

Nothing too complicated here. It might take a little practice making the meatballs if you’ve never done it before. Don’t worry though! They don’t have to be perfectly shaped to taste amazing!

• Large bowl 
• 12-inch skillet
• Spatula or tongs
• Baking sheet or baking dish (if you’re toasting your slider rolls)
• Knife 

What to Serve With Meatball Sliders

Oh, you could even try making these on a bun made of garlic bread! There are so many delicious possibilities with this yummy recipe!

• A fresh salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the heartiness of the sliders.
• Crispy potato wedges or fries.
• For a fun way to cool down your palate, a cold soda or iced tea works wonders.

Why You Should Make Meatball Sliders

I love serving these to my kids. The reaction is always the same. Silence mixed with the occasional hum of enjoyment. You know it’s good when they all go quiet, haha!

• Crowd Pleaser: They’re loved by kids and adults alike.
• Versatile: Suitable for family dinners, Super Bowl parties, or even potlucks.
• Easy to Make: Using simple ingredients, it’s a straightforward recipe that packs a ton of flavor.
• Perfect Snack Size: Each bite is a mouthful of delightful flavors.

Variations and Add-Ins for Meatball Sliders

Want to change things up with this recipe? You go right ahead! I was just imagining what these would taste like with some good pepperjack cheese. I’m sure you can come up with some great versions yourself!

• Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders: Add some parmesan cheese on top of each meatball before the mozzarella for a cheesy twist.
• BBQ Meatball Sliders: Swap marinara for BBQ sauce for a tangy flavor.
• Garlic Bread Meatball Sliders: Brush your slider rolls with garlic butter before assembling for an added layer of yumminess.
• Spicy Meatball Sliders: Add red pepper flakes or some spicy sauce to your meatball mix for a kick.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace ground beef with a vegetarian meatball mix.

---

If you love this easy slider recipe, you’re going to love these other game-day snacks too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Awesome Sliders

Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls

Pulled Pork Sliders

Poppy Seed Ham and Cheese Sliders

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

If you love this recipe for meatball sliders as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!

---

---