Easy Pull Apart Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders
Sweet Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with marinara sauce and meatballs and topped with mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and parsley. Perfect for parties, game days, or simply indulging in a comforting snack, Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders are sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more.
One of my sons LOVES eating meatball sub sandwiches. Whenever we go to any restaurant that serves them, he is sure to order them.
I love taking inspiration from restaurants and creating our favorite dishes at home, so I knew that I needed to tackle meatball subs. However, as I was thinking about it, I decided to put a twist on the dish by turning our sub sandwiches into cute and tasty cheesy meatball sliders.
The beauty of these delicious cheesy meatball sliders is their simplicity and versatility. You can easily customize them with different types of cheese, sauces, and toppings to suit you and your family members preferences.
Whether you prefer classic mozzarella or like to experiment with flavors like pepper jack, cheddar or something more daring such as gouda, the options are endless.
So next time you’re craving something comforting and satisfying – or need something easy for game day, give cheesy meatball sliders a try!
If you want more scrumptious slider recipes, try my Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli or Easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders.
Ingredients Needed For Cheese Meatball Sliders Recipe
- Hawaiian Rolls – or regular slider rolls
- Garlic Powder
- Mozzarella Cheese – shredded
- Marinara Sauce – homemade or store-bought
- Meatballs – frozen or homemade
- Butter – melted
- Parmesan Cheese – for garnish
- Parsley – for garnish
How To Make Cheesy Meatball Sliders
The process is super simple – just follow these directions!
Step 1
Begin by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2
Place Hawaiian rolls on the baking sheet. Using your thumb or fore finger to make a small hole in the center of each roll.
Step 3
In a small bowl, melt the buter and stir in garlic powder until thoroughly mixed.
Step 4
Brush the garlic butter on the outside of the roll and inside the hole on top using a basting brush.
Step 5
Add approximately a tablespoon of marinara sauce into each roll and bake for about 6 – 8 minutes.
Step 6
Place one meatball into the hole on each Hawaiian roll.
Step 7
Spoon more marinara sauce on top of the meatball, to taste.
Step 8
Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each roll.
Place rolls back into the oven for approximately 10 – 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the meatballs are hot.
Step 9
Add some parmesan cheese and parsley for garnish if desired. Serve immediately!
Cheesy Meatball Sliders Recipe Notes And Tips
- If you prefer not to use your finger to make a hole in the Hawaiian roll, use a knife to cut out the hole. Eat or discard the small pieces of bread. 🙂
- The Hawaiian rolls are my favorite because I enjoy the extra bit of sweetness than a regular roll but use what you like the best.
- If homemade is your preference, try pork, chicken or turkey instead of ground beef to prepare the meatballs.
- You can use sliced mozzarella cheese instead of shredded if you would rather.
- Make them in the air fryer! I recommend cooking them in the air fryer at 350 degrees for about 7-9 minutes. Check them and add an extra minute or two, if needed.
Variations of Cheesy Meatball Sliders To Try
- Sauce – No marinara on hand, no problem. Sometimes I use my favorite spaghetti sauce for a change in flavor.
- Cheese – Provolone is a delicious substitute if mozzarella is not your favorite. I have tried (and liked) cheddar cheese too.
- Gluten-Free – Gluten-free options are important to many people. These meatball sliders can be made gluten free. Make or buy gluten free sliders, make sure the marinara sauce is gluten free and use appropriate ingredients in the meatballs if you go with homemade. The remaining ingredients are naturally gluten free.
What To Serve With Meatball Sliders
There are endless options! Here are a few delicious ideas:
- Crispy Garlic Parm Accordion Potatoes (TikTok Viral Recipe)
- Apple Cranberry Coleslaw (Light, Creamy + Healthy)
- Easy Creamy Grape Salad Recipe With Pecans
- Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad
- Easy Irresistible Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
- Easy Air Fryer Calzone
- Air Fryer Cheese Bread
Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders FAQs
Yes, you definitely can. Just assemble, cover with foil, and stick them in the refrigerator. Then bake when ready to serve. Super duper easy!
They will keep in the fridge for up to 2 – 3 days if kept in an airtight container.
Of course! Assemble and allow to cool completely. Then cover tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place in freezer for up to 2 – 3 months.
To heat after removing from the freezer, either place in refrigerator overnight to allow to thaw or put them in the oven directly from the freezer.
You can put the rolls in the oven and toast them for a couple minutes before adding the remaining ingredients. This will help prevent them from getting too soggy from the marinara sauce.
More Delicious Sandwich Recipes To Try
- Chopped Italian Sandwich: Viral TikTok Recipe
- Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- The Very Best Sloppy Joes (2 cooking methods)!
Pin For Later!
Cheesy Meatball Sliders
Cheesy Italian meatball sliders are crowd-pleasing Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with marinara sauce and meatballs and topped with melted cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 package of Hawaiian rolls
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 12 frozen or homemade meatballs
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- parmesan cheese for garnish
- parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Use your fingers to make a small hole in the center of each roll.
- In a small bowl mix the garlic powder with the melted butter until well combined.
- Brush the garlic butter inside the hole and all over the outside of the rolls.
- Add about a tablespoon of sauce into each roll then bake for 6-8 minutes.
- Place a meatball in hole of each roll.
- Spoon more sauce over the top of the meatball.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the rolls and return to the oven for 10-15 minutes until the meatballs are hot and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley then serve immediately and enjoy!
