Description
These Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack featuring tender meatballs nestled inside sweet Hawaiian rolls, topped with a creamy Italian-seasoned spread, gooey mozzarella, and savory marinara sauce. Baked to perfection with a buttery, cheesy crust, these sliders are perfect for parties, game day, or a fun family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Rolls and Cream Cheese Spread
- 1 (12-count) package Hawaiian rolls
- 3 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Cheese and Sauce
- 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup marinara sauce, divided
Meatballs
- 12 (½-oz) frozen meatballs, thawed
Toppings
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray or line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then set it aside for later use.
- Broil Roll Halves: Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Arrange the cut sides facing up on a baking sheet. Place this in the oven under the broiler setting until golden brown on top. Once toasted, place the bottom halves of the rolls into the prepared pan or baking sheet.
- Make Cream Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning until well combined and smooth.
- Assemble Base Layers: Spread the seasoned cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom halves of the rolls. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cream cheese layer, then spoon ½ cup of marinara sauce on top of the mozzarella.
- Prepare Roll Tops: Use a 1-inch round cutter to cut a hole in the center of each top roll piece. Discard the cut-out bread circles. Place these roll tops on top of the assembled bottom halves.
- Prepare Meatballs: Toss the thawed meatballs with the remaining ½ cup of marinara sauce until they are evenly coated. Place one sauced meatball into each hole of the roll tops.
- Butter and Season: Combine the melted butter with ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Brush this seasoned butter evenly over all the rolls. Sprinkle the entire top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Add Final Cheese Layer: Remove the foil carefully. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the rolls.
- Bake to Melt Cheese: Return the uncovered sliders to the oven and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, cut into 12 individual sliders, and enjoy warm as a tasty snack or appetizer.
Notes
- You can use fresh meatballs if preferred; just adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure they are thoroughly heated.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce before tossing the meatballs.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier spreading.
- These sliders are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Instead of discarding the bread rounds cut from the roll tops, you can toast and serve them as croutons or add them to soups.
