Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders
In this Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders recipe, we turn meatball subs into cheesy bite-sized appetizers. Not only are these sweet and savory sliders the perfect game day food, but they are equally as good for dinner.
Servings: 12 sliders
Ingredients
- 12 count Hawaiian rolls
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella I like the mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce like Rao's roasted garlic pizza
- hot honey
Oven-Baked Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef 80/20 recommended
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Start by combining the ground beef with the beaten egg, parmesan, garlic, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until smooth.
- Divide the mixture into 1.5-inch balls using a cookie scoop or a spoon. Roll them into balls and place them on a baking sheet; this should yield 12-14 meatballs.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until they are no longer pink in the middle. Flip halfway through to prevent the bottoms from burning. Toss the cooked meatballs in a bit of marinara sauce, just enough to coat.
- Assemble the Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
- Use a knife to cut a 1-inch circle out of the center tops of each roll. Remove the circle of bread and discard. Use the bottom of a shot glass to work into the opening to make room for the meatballs (see photos).
- Combine 2 teaspoons of garlic with 4 tablespoons of melted butter and the parsley. Use a basting brush to brush it over the tops and the insides of each roll.
- Bake in a 400-degree oven for 5 minutes or until the tops start to turn golden brown.
- Add a generous pinch of mozzarella into each crevice, pushing it down. Top it with a spoonful of marinara.
- Stuff each roll with one meatball, and wedge them down into the hole.
- Top the meatballs with another pinch of mozzarella and return them to the oven until the cheese has melted.
- Brush a final coat of garlic butter over the tops of the rolls and serve with a drizzle of hot honey over each one.