These meatball sliders are loaded with juicy meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted cheese tucked inside soft slider buns. They’re easy to make, perfect for parties, game day, or a quick family dinner.
I love using my homemade slider buns for these, but Hawaiian rolls or store-bought dinner rolls work just as well.
Why You’ll Love These Meatball Sliders
- Easy appetizer or dinner
- Great for feeding a crowd
- Homemade or store-bought meatballs work
- Can be made ahead
- Perfect for parties and game day
- Freezer friendly
Ingredients and Substitutes
- Ground meat – Use beef, pork, chicken, turkey, or a combination of meats. A mix of beef and pork gives the juiciest meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs – Help bind the meatballs and keep them tender. Regular breadcrumbs, panko, or a slice of soaked bread all work well.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds flavor and richness to the meatballs. Pecorino Romano is a good substitute.
- Egg – Helps hold the meatball mixture together.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Fresh parsley – Adds freshness and color. You can use dried parsley if needed.
- Italian seasoning – A simple blend of oregano, basil, and herbs that adds classic Italian flavor.
- Marinara sauce – Homemade or store-bought marinara both work well. Use your favorite pasta sauce for convenience.
- Slider buns – I love using my homemade slider buns, but Hawaiian rolls, brioche buns, or soft dinner rolls are great alternatives.
- Mozzarella cheese – Melts beautifully and gives that classic cheese pull. Provolone, Monterey Jack, or an Italian cheese blend are excellent substitutes.
- Butter – Brushed over the tops before baking for golden, flavorful buns.
- Fresh parsley flakes – Optional garnish that adds a pop of color before serving.
Step-by-step: How to Make Meatball Sliders
- Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C / Gas Mark 6.
- Meatballs – Combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Form the mixture into 12 meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball. Place the meatballs on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Sauce – Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the marinara sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Once hot, add the cooked meatballs to the sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prep Sliders – Cut a hole in the top of each bun, and make some space by removing some of the insides.
Pro tip – Do not remove too much of the inside. We do need some of the bread to soak up the liquid. - Fill sliders – You can brush the inside of the buns with melted butter. Add a tablespoon of sauce and a meatball to each bun. Top with more sauce.
- Finish Sliders – Top the sliders with some grated cheese. Place the top of the bun back on and top with sliced or grated cheese.
- Bake – Place the assembled sliders on a baking sheet or sheet pan. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until the buns are toasted and the cheese is melted. Serve warm, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
- Serve – Serve the meatball sliders with a salad or crispy fries for a complete meal! Add toppings like sautéed onions or bell peppers to customize the sliders.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Meatballs can be made 2 days ahead.
- Assemble sliders ahead and refrigerate.
- Store leftovers 3 days.
- Freeze up to 2 months.
What to Serve With Meatball Sliders
Meatball sliders pair well with Caesar salad, coleslaw, potato wedges, French fries, pasta salad, or roasted vegetables.
Meatball Sliders
Meatball sliders are a tasty and fun option for parties, game days, or family dinners. These little sandwiches are easy to prepare, and you can even make them in large batches if you're serving a crowd. Here's a recipe for meatball sliders for approximately 12 people.
Video
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 500 g (1 lb) Ground meat Chicken, beef, lamb, pork (you can also use a mix of different meats)
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs or soaked slice bread
- ¼ cup (25 g) Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 large Egg beaten
- 2 large Garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- ½ tsp Dried oregano
- ½ tsp Dried basil
- ¼ tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
For the sauce
- 2 cup (473 ml) Marinara sauce
For the sliders
- 12 Slider buns
- 1 cup Grated white cheese
- 6 – 6 Slices Mozzarella or provolone cheese – broken into 2 or 3 pieces
- 2 tbsp Melted butter optional
- ½ teaspoon Fresh parsley flakes
Method
For the meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C / Gas Mark 6.
- Meatballs – In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Form the mixture into 12 meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball. Place the meatballs on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.500 g Ground meat, 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 large Egg, 2 large Garlic cloves, 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, 1 tsp Kosher salt, 1/2 tsp Black pepper, 1/2 tsp Dried oregano, 1/2 tsp Dried basil, 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
- Sauce – Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the marinara sauce, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Once hot, add the cooked meatballs to the sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.2 cup Marinara sauce
- Prep Sliders – Cut a hole in the top of each bun, and remove some of the insides to create space.12 Slider buns
- Fill sliders – You can brush the inside of the buns with melted butter. Add a tablespoon of sauce and a meatball to each bun. Top with more sauce.2 tbsp Melted butter
- Finish Sliders – Top the sliders with some grated cheese. Place the top of the bun back on and top with sliced or grated cheese.1 cup Grated white cheese, 6 – 6 Slices Mozzarella
- Bake – Place the assembled sliders on a baking sheet or sheet pan. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until the buns are toasted and the cheese is melted. Serve warm, garnished with extra parsley if desired.1/2 teaspoon Fresh parsley flakes
- Serve —For a complete meal, Serve the meatball sliders with a salad or crispy fries. To customize the sliders, add toppings like sautéed onions or bell peppers.
Notes
- Homemade or fully cooked frozen meatballs both work well.
- Hawaiian rolls, slider buns, or brioche rolls can be used.
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture or the meatballs may become tough.
- Use enough sauce to keep the sliders moist without making the buns soggy.
- Mozzarella, provolone, or an Italian cheese blend are all great options.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @veenaazmanov_kitchen or tag #veenaazmanovkitchen!Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture.
- Make equal-sized meatballs.
- Use enough sauce to keep the sliders moist.
- Cover loosely with foil if the tops brown too quickly.
- Serve immediately for the best cheese pull.
more meatball recipes you may like
- Chicken Meatballs
- Mongolian Meatballs – Asian
- Balsamic-Glazed Meatballs
- Turkey Meatballs
- Cilantro Meatballs
Frequently asked questions
What do you put on meatball sliders?
Classic meatball sliders are made with meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. You can also add sautéed onions, bell peppers, Parmesan cheese, or fresh basil.
Can I make meatball sliders ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the sliders several hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
Can I use a different type of bread for my sliders? What bread is best for meatball sliders?
Soft slider buns, Hawaiian rolls, brioche rolls, and homemade slider buns all work well. Choose a bun that is sturdy enough to hold the sauce and meatballs without falling apart.
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes. Fully cooked frozen meatballs are a great shortcut. Simply heat them in marinara sauce before assembling the sliders.
How long do you bake meatball sliders?
Bake the assembled sliders for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are lightly toasted.
more bun recipes you may like
- Perfect Homemade Slider Buns
- Ham Cheese Sliders with Garlic Butter
- Homemade Hawaiian Rolls
- Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls
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Hi, I’m Veena
I’m the recipe developer, baker, and food photographer behind Veena Azmanov Kitchen.
I’ve spent years developing and testing recipes, from everyday meals and homemade breads to cakes and desserts.
I share the practical tips and little details I’ve learned along the way so you can get great results in your own kitchen.
This is an easy and delicious quick meal to make for everyone. They compliment me on making this one.
Oh my goodness! I made this recipe and everyone loves it.
It is so easy and delicious!