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Crispy Italian Meatball Sliders with Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce

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These crispy Italian meatball sliders feature perfectly seasoned meatballs with a crunchy crust, paired with a silky homemade marinara sauce, all nestled in soft slider buns. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or a comforting snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
  • ½ lb ground pork
  • ½ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
  • 12 slider buns (soft Hawaiian rolls recommended)
  • 12 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese
  • Butter, melted (for brushing buns)

Instructions

  1. Make the Marinara Sauce: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes, add oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat while preparing meatballs. Add fresh basil just before assembling.
  2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, egg, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Form the Meatballs: Shape mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
  4. Crisp the Meatballs: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook meatballs in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
  5. Bake the Meatballs: Transfer seared meatballs to a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 160°F).
  6. Assemble the Sliders: Slice buns in half horizontally and brush with melted butter. Place a slice of cheese on the bottom half, add a meatball, spoon marinara sauce over it, and top with the bun crown. Optionally, broil assembled sliders for 1-2 minutes for extra melty cheese.
  7. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

If meatball mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs; if too dry, add a splash of milk or extra egg yolk. Do not move meatballs too soon when frying to form a proper crust. Simmer marinara sauce gently to develop flavor. Brush buns with melted butter before toasting to prevent sogginess. Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach 160°F internally.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian meatball sliders, crispy meatballs, homemade marinara sauce, slider recipe, easy meatball sliders, party food, comfort food

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/crispy-italian-meatball-sliders-recipe-easy-homemade-marinara-sauce/