Looking for an easy weeknight dinner that could be ready in 30 minutes? Or maybe a crowd-pleasing appetizer? These Italian meatball sliders are the perfect solution. Pre-cooked meatballs nestled in a sweet Hawaiian slider bun, along with your favorite marinara sauce and mozzarella of course. Whether you’re hosting a party or feeding the family–these meatball sliders are a great choice!

My kids love Italian-type dinners and I was looking for something other than spaghetti or lasagna- they gobbled it up and it will now be added onto our menu rotation. Best part is- it can be ready in about 30 minutes! Since you are using pre-cooked meatballs that really cuts the time.
Another great Italian slider recipe my kids love are these pizza sliders – another quick, easy meal to make for a weeknight. We also enjoy this sheetpan pizza that is ready in under 30 min, too!
Speaking of pre-cooked meatballs, we will be getting our own French Creek Beef pre-cooked meatballs the end of February 2025–watch the website for updates or sign up for e-mails to be notified. They will be 100% beef meatballs – no pork or chicken added! Plus, no fillers so they will be allergen friendly.
Ingredients in Italian Meatball Sliders
- Hawaiian Rolls – I used Kings Hawaiian but an off-brand will work. You can also substitute with a regular flavor of rolls.
- Pre-cooked meatballs – I got the “Rosina” brand from the freezer section at Fareway. They come in a 16 oz bag if you get the 100% beef ones which I recommend. You will not use the entire bag of meatballs, just 12– but you can freeze the rest for another time. As I mentioned, we will be offering our own pre-cooked beef meatballs from French Creek Beef the end of February 2025!
- Marinara Sauce – use your favorite marinara or pasta sauce for this recipe. Or, make your own.
- Mozzarella Cheese – shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Buttery Glaze: butter, minced garlic, Italian Seasoning.
How to make them
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large sheet pan with foil and spray for easy clean-up. Next, set your slider rolls on the pan and use your CLEAN hands or a knife to “scoop” out enough bread from the top of the roll to fit the meatball in (pictured below).
- Once the holes are complete, add a tablespoon of shredded cheese and a tablespoon of marinara to the bottom of the hole.
- Next, melt your butter and add the minced garlic and seasoning to make a glaze. Use a pastry brush to brush the butter on the tops of the buns, I try to remember to do this BEFORE putting the meatballs in so some of the glaze gets inside the holes.
- Now, add the meatballs to the sliders and then top with 1 more tablespoon of marinara.
- Use your remaining shredded cheese to top the sliders. Bake for about 20 minutes until cheese is melted and meatballs have an internal temp of at least 165 F.
- Enjoy! Use additional marinara for dipping.
Leftover Instructions
Refrigerator: let rolls cool and then refrigerate in microwave safe container for up to 4 days.
I do not recommend freezing these as assembled or they will get soggy.
Substitutions or Variations
Use a butter slider instead of a sweet slider
Can use a different kind of meatball OR use your own, home-made meatballs. You need to use cooked meatballs for this recipe, though.
I have used our leftover peach crockpot meatballs in a similar type recipe, added some of the peach sauce to the bottom, then the meatball and lastly more sauce and mozzarella. It was very good!
What pairs well with Italian Sliders?
- simple side salad
- fruit salad
- simple steamed veggie like green beans or broccoli
- cottage cheese
- healthy broccoli salad
More Meatball Recipes from the blog
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I hope you enjoy these meatball sliders just as much as I do! โ Bobbi Jo
Italian Meatball Sliders- ready in 30 minutes!
Equipment
- large sheet pan
- foil optional, for lining pan
- cooking utensils, measuring cups
- pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 dozen Hawaiian slider rolls or buttery rolls
- 12 1 oz pre-cooked meatballs about half a 16 oz package in freezer section
- 1 cup pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese,
Butter Glaze
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp minced garlic
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a large sheetpan with foil and spray. Unwrap and set your package of rolls on the sheet pan.
- Use your finger or another tool to remove a meatball-sized hole from the tops of the sliders. Each individual slider should have 1 hole on the top.
- Add about 1 tbsp of shredded cheese to the bottom of each hole. Then use a spoon to add about 1 tbsp of pasta sauce to the hole.
- Next, add your melted butter and garlic/Italian seasoning together to a bowl. Brush over the rolls and a bit inside the holes, too.
- Add a meatball to each carved hole (12 meatballs for 12 sliders). Then, top with another tbsp of sauce and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese all over the sliders.
- Bake uncovered at 350 F until cheese is melted and internal temp of meatballs is at least 165 f (not frozen in middle)- about 20 minutes. Enjoy!
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