Description
These Meatball Parmesan Sliders are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack, featuring sweet King's Hawaiian rolls filled with savory meatballs, marinara sauce, and a blend of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, all enhanced with garlic butter and Italian herbs. Perfect for game days, parties, or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Sliders
- 24 King's Hawaiian Rolls (2 12-pack packages)
- 24 meatballs (frozen or fresh)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Garlic Butter
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic paste
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375˚F to prepare for baking the sliders, ensuring a hot oven for toasting the rolls and melting the cheese evenly.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped parsley, dried basil, dried thyme, kosher salt, garlic paste, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
- Toast the Rolls: Arrange the Hawaiian rolls snugly in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Using a serrated knife, carefully cut out the center of each roll to create a cavity. Brush the garlic butter generously on the tops and inside the hollowed part of each roll. Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes until the butter is melted and the rolls are lightly toasted. Remove from oven.
- Assemble Sliders: Mix together the mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Place half of the cheese mixture into each hollowed-out center of the rolls. Then, insert a meatball into each cavity on top of the cheese. Spoon a dollop of marinara sauce over each meatball, then sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tops of all the sliders.
- Bake to Finish: Return the assembled sliders to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are thoroughly heated and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use homemade or store-bought meatballs depending on your preference and time constraints.
- For extra spice, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the marinara sauce before topping the meatballs.
- These sliders keep well and can be reheated in the oven at 350˚F until warmed through.
- Freezing instructions: Assemble the sliders without baking, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen by adding extra baking time.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture, or shredded for convenience.
