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Snack Β· Dinner Β· Beef

Meatball Sliders

Tender homemade meatballs simmered in marinara and tucked into soft rolls with melted mozzarella and a garlic-butter top. Make the meatballs ahead and the sliders take 15 minutes.

⏱ 1 hr 10 min (30 min prep, 40 min cooking) 🍽 Serves 12 · 1 slider kid friendlymake aheadfreezer friendlyleftovers

In our collection Big game day: menu and shopping list β†’

πŸ“… Add to my plan

ContainsMilk, Eggs, Wheat. Check the labels on what you buy; brands differ.

Ingredients

Make 12 servings

  • Meatballs

  • 1 lb Ground beef, 85% lean
  • Β½ cup Dry breadcrumbs
  • ΒΌ cup Grated Parmesan, grated
  • 1 Eggs, large
  • 3 tbsp Whole milk
  • 2 clove Garlic, grated
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ΒΎ tsp Kosher salt
  • ΒΌ tsp Ground black pepper

  • Sliders

  • 2 cup Marinara or pasta sauce (jar)
  • 12 Sweet rolls (Hawaiian-style), in one sheet, or slider buns
  • 1Β½ cup Shredded mozzarella, shredded
  • 2 tbsp Butter, unsalted, melted
  • ΒΌ tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped

Make it yourself

Make the dry breadcrumbs yourself β†’ Make the italian seasoning yourself β†’ Make the marinara and pizza sauce yourself β†’ Make the sweet rolls yourself β†’ Make the butter yourself β†’

In the planner, Make it on the shopping list swaps the store item for these ingredients and puts the work on your prep day.

Nutrition

Nutrition coming: the USDA numbers for these ingredients are being added.

Steps

You’ll need: 2 baking sheets, parchment paper, saucepan, mixing bowl, food thermometer, 9x13-inch baking dish.

  1. Heat the oven to 400Β°F and line a baking sheet. Mix the meatball ingredients gently with your hands, then roll 12 balls, about 1Β½ inches. Wash your hands.
  2. Bake the meatballs 15 to 18 minutes, until browned and a food thermometer in the center of one reads 160Β°F (USDA).
  3. Warm the marinara in a saucepan and add the meatballs; simmer 5 minutes.
  4. Lower the oven to 350Β°F. Slice the sheet of rolls in half sideways and set the bottoms in the baking dish. Space the meatballs on top with a little sauce, cover with the mozzarella and add the roll tops.
  5. Stir the butter, garlic powder and parsley and brush it on the tops. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until the cheese melts and the tops are golden. Cut apart and serve with extra sauce.

🌑 Safe temperaturesGround beef 160°F. Check the thickest part with a food thermometer (USDA). More on food safety.

Make aheadBake the meatballs up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate, or freeze them. Reheat in the sauce until 165Β°F before assembling.
❄️ FreezerFreeze baked meatballs up to 3 months.
β†Ί LeftoversRefrigerate within 2 hours; eat within 3 to 4 days. Reheat to 165Β°F.
πŸ§’ With kidsKids can roll the meatballs (then wash hands well) and sprinkle the cheese.
Shortcut swapUse 24 small frozen cooked meatballs, heated in the sauce to 165Β°F.
Turkey swapUse ground turkey and bake the meatballs to 165Β°F.

Goes well with

πŸ— Crispy Baked Buffalo WingsπŸ₯¬ Simple Green Salad

Good to know

Ground beef: 80/20, 85/15, 90/10 and up Fresh vs. dried herbs Table salt vs. kosher salt vs. sea salt Cooking Fats Compared Salted vs. unsalted butter Food Safety Basics

An original Teddy Rook Book recipe, written for our Big game day party collection; safety steps follow USDA. Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central and changes with brands and portions.