Description
These Meatball Sliders offer a perfect blend of juicy, flavorful ground beef meatballs baked to golden perfection, topped with tangy marinara and melted mozzarella, all nestled in soft slider buns. Ideal for parties or a fun dinner, they combine classic Italian flavors with the convenience of bite-sized sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Assemblies
- 12 slider buns
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese
- Butter, for optional toasting
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure the sliders bake evenly with perfectly melted cheese and warm, soft buns.
- Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs. Roll mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until cooked through and slightly golden on the outside. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the Slider Buns: While meatballs bake, slice slider buns in half. Optionally, lightly toast the cut sides in a pan with butter for added flavor and texture.
- Assemble the Sliders: Place one meatball on the bottom half of each bun. Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce over each meatball, then top with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cap with the top half of the bun.
- Bake the Assembled Sliders: Arrange the sliders on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and buns are lightly toasted.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove sliders from the oven, let them cool for a minute, and serve warm for a delicious, cheesy bite-sized meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor and tenderness, use a mix of ground beef and ground pork for the meatballs.
- To add a spicy kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the meatball mixture or on the assembled sliders before the final bake.
- Lightly toasting the slider buns with butter enhances texture but can be skipped for a softer bun.
- These sliders can also be prepared ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to maintain texture.
