Description

These Meatball Sliders are a delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal option featuring juicy, tender meatballs baked to perfection, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, all nestled inside soft slider buns. Perfectly balanced with Italian seasonings and an irresistible cheesy finish, these sliders are easy to prepare and bake in just 30 minutes, making them ideal for gatherings or a tasty family dinner.

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

Sauce & Toppings

1 cup marinara sauce
12 slices mozzarella cheese

Buns

12 slider buns
Optional: butter for toasting buns

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure the sliders bake evenly with melted cheese and warm buns.
Make the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs. Roll the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Prepare the Sliders: While meatballs bake, slice slider buns in half. Optionally, toast cut sides in a pan with butter for extra flavor and texture.
Assemble the Sliders: Place one meatball on each bottom half of the slider buns. Spoon marinara sauce over each meatball and top with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover with the top half of the bun.
Bake the Sliders: Arrange sliders on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and buns are lightly toasted.
Serve and Enjoy: Remove sliders from the oven, let cool for a minute, and serve warm for a delicious, cheesy, and savory treat.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can mix ground pork with the beef in the meatballs.
Adjust seasonings to taste, adding red pepper flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
To save time, make the meatballs ahead and store them in the fridge until ready to bake.
Slider buns can be toasted in the oven or on the stovetop with butter for added crispness.
Leftover sliders can be reheated in the oven covered with foil to retain moisture.