These meatball sliders are the perfect EASY appetizer to make for your next party! Made with Hawaiian rolls, meatballs, marinara, and mozzarella all topped with delicious butter and Parmesan seasoning.
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Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
With the big game coming up, I thought I would share these delicious meatball sliders that happen to be one of our favorite Super Bowl snack ideas! These meatball sliders will definitely be on the menu, as well as our buffalo chicken dip, little smokies, and jalapeno poppers.
These meatball sliders are really easy to make and are the perfect appetizer or meatball dinner idea for both kids and adults. We also love these Hawaiian meatballs!
We still love the classic ham and cheese sliders and pizza sliders recipes but it’s fun to switch it up sometimes…especially if we have leftover homemade meatballs.
The parmesan topping on the meatball sliders is really what makes them. It’s buttery, cheesy, and full of Italian flavors. Plus you can’t beat the gooey melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients for Meatball Sliders
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Hawaiian rolls: You can use any kind of dinner roll or slider buns, however, I prefer to use my Hawaiian rolls recipe because they are super soft. Store-bought works, too!
- Meatballs: You can buy store-bought in the frozen sections. I also like to use my homemade meatballs.
- Marinara: I love homemade sauce, but usually use a good quality store-bought jar. Pasta sauce will also work too!
- Mozzarella: You could use slices of mozzarella cheese or shredded.
- Butter: I prefer using salted butter for extra flavor. Butter the baking dish ahead of time to help from sticking as well as melted butter for the crispiness of the buns.
- Italian seasoning: This adds the perfect flavor. Here is my homemade Italian seasoning.
- Parmesan: Adds a great cheesy taste on top.
How to Make Meatball Sliders
- Cook meatballs. Warm up a saucepan on the stovetop. Heat the meatballs in the marinara sauce in a large bowl.
- Prepare. Butter a 9×13 dish and then place the bottom half of the rolls into the pan. Place a meatball on top of each roll and then top with marinara. Sprinkle mozzarella on top. Then place the top of the rolls on.
- Brush and bake. Brush the butter mixture over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 12 minutes.
- Bake uncovered. Uncover and bake an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
“These were delicious! Made them with homemade Italian style meatballs. I halved the recipe for 2 people and it was perfect. Even my picky toddler liked it! Perfect size for little hands.”
Recipe FAQs
Make these meatball sliders into a complete meal with coleslaw, pasta salad, or this fruit salad for favorite sides.
I’ve used both! If I have some air fryer meatballs in the freezer I use those. I think they have a little more flavor. You can definitely use frozen meatballs though, as long as they are cooked! Both turn out super yummy!
Sure! Just assemble them earlier, cover them with foil, and stick them in the fridge. Then bake once ready to serve. Once baked, they should be served with an a half hour so the bottom half of the buns don’t get soggy.
Place the sliders in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for three days. When ready to reheat place in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until warmed up.
Make it a party with more sliders! These breakfast sliders with bacon or BBQ pulled pork sliders are comfort food dining at their finest.
More Easy Appetizer Ideas
Meatball Sliders
Video
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- 12 meatballs , cooked
- 1 to 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 1 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese , shredded
- ¼ cup butter , melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter a 9×13 dish and then place the bottom half of the rolls into the pan. Place a meatball on top of each roll and then top evenly with marinara. Sprinkle mozzarella on top.
- Meanwhile, stir together the butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Then place top of the rolls on. Pour butter mixture over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 12 minutes. Uncover and bake and additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Christa
This recipe is so simple and easy! I used Impossible Meatballs and I couldn’t believe how delicious it is! The topping just elevates the whole recipe!
I Heart Naptime
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Christa! :)
Bob
Excellent recipe, and super easy! I used frozen Johnsonville Italian meatballs (I highly recommend) . Almost as good as home made meatballs. I used 6 inch club rolls for a little bigger portion. I put 3 meatballs in each roll. The butter sauce really makes it! Thanks for sharing recipe, I highly recommend!
I Heart Naptime
Sounds so delicious! So glad you enjoyed them :)
Terri
Delicious! Love your recipes! You are a joy to follow on Instagram! God bless.
Susan Spalding
My entire family loved it! Will definitely make this many more times.
Jamielyn Nye
I’m so glad your family loves it! :)
Jerylyn Bohlender
These were delicious!! I made them for a party and they were the first to go. My husband LOVES them. Made them again just for him. Plan on making them for Superbowl. :)
Jamielyn Nye
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for your comment and review Jerylyn. :)
Megan Bee
It was super easy and very convenient to make! My whole family loved it. I would totally recommend doing this recipe for a get together or party.
Jamielyn Nye
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Glenda Gale Ireland
Very easy recipe to make and very yummy. I used frozen meatballs and heated them in the sauce before putting them in the rolls.
Jamielyn Nye
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! :)
Rasheda Sanford
My family really like Kelly sauce and meat balls
Jamanchu
These slides were absolutely delicious! I used my own Italian meatball recipe for the meatballs. A big hit as an appetizer on Thanksgiving.
Jamielyn Nye
Homemade meatballs would take this recipe over the top! Thanks for your comment!
Adele Aiken
How do you freeze these? Cooked?
Jannine.malicki
I’m going to make it
Jamielyn Nye
Hope you enjoy!
Renee Goerger
These are going on my Superbowl menu. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t enjoy a meatball slider!
Jenn
I love how quick, easy, and comforting these sliders are! Such a family-friendly option for crazy weeknights!
Jamielyn
Definitely one of my go-tos on busy nights! :)
Dustin
These look absolutely amazing! I want to make them for a super bowl party and was wondering if frozen meatballs can be substituted for fresh? Thanks! I just love this. Thanks for the great share.
Jamielyn
Hi Dustin! You can definitely substitute the frozen meatballs for fresh. I would just cook them first before adding them to the slider. :)
Renee
Will these become soggy if I make them and serve them 4 or 5 hours later?
Jamielyn
You could prep them earlier, but I would wait to bake them until you’re ready to serve.
Olga
These are so delicious. I made it for my little family of 3 on a cold rainy day & our toddler loved it. Usually it’s hard to make her eat something new but this was a go-go!!??
Carole
I made these today and they were a big hit! Thanks for a great recipe!
Susan
They look delish! Do you make your own meatballs or use frozen?
I Heart Naptime
I’ve used both in the past! As long as they are cooked, you’re good to go. :)
Stephanie
These would be great for a snow day, too!!