Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Name: Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 12 Hawaiian Rolls; 12 large meatballs; 3 cups marinara sauce; ¾ cup mozzarella cheese (shredded); 2 T butter; ½ t Italian Seasoning

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Looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner or a standout party appetizer? These meatball sliders on Hawaiian rolls are just the thing! You only need a few simple ingredients, and they can feed a crowd!

Meatball Slider on Hawaiian Rolls on a plate

Why I Love Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

My husband is a meat and potatoes man through and through. Unless he’s eating a bowl of cereal, he absolutely HAS to have meat in every meal.

So I am always looking for new meal options that have meat as a major player. On busy weeknights, those meals need to come together quickly!

I make hot sandwiches of some kind at least once a week. Sometimes I toss chicken or a roast in my slow cooker, shred it up, and serve on buns with a sauce. Or sometimes I use my air fryer or griddle pan to make a hot, crispy sandwich of some kind. Either way, hot sandwiches are always a hit at my dinner table, and everyone scarfs them down.

I had a bunch of leftover meatballs the other day, and decided to repurpose them into something new. We love the soft, sweet flavors of Hawaiian buns, so I usually have those on hand. Because they are firmer on the exterior, I knew they’d toast up nicely, and hold up to the sauce and without instantly getting mushy. I grabbed those and my leftover meatballs, and these meatball sliders were born.

My family loved them and asked me to put them into our permanent rotation. I make them a few times a month for dinner, but they are also great for appetizers and parties. Super Bowl idea, anyone?

Ingredients

package of Hawaiian sweet rolls (I like these or these)
meatballs (homemade or store bought )
marinara sauce (I usually make my own or I like this brand)
shredded mozzarella cheese
butter, melted
Italian seasoning

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F an line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the meatballs and 3 cups of marinara sauce. Note: If i have large meatballs, I just do one per sandwich, but if the are smaller meatballs, then I use two per sandwich.

Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are heated through and the saucy is bubbling.

Without separating the rolls, slice the entire block of Hawaiian rolls horizontally to create a top and bottom layer.

Place the bottom layer in the foil lined baking sheet, and scoop 1-2 meatballs on each bun on the bottom layer. Top meatballs with freshly shredded mozzarella cheese. I do approx 1T per roll. Note: I prefer freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese in the grocery store, has an anti-clumping agent added to it to prevent it from sticking together. Unfortunately, it also prevents if from melting well. My favorite tool is this attachment for my stand mixer that grates a whole block in seconds.

Meatballs in marinara simmering in a large saucepan on a stove

Using a large serrated knife to cut Hawaiian rolls in half

On the underside of the the top half of the rolls, spoon approx 1- 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce (depending on how saucy you like them), and spread it evenly. Place the top layer of rolls over the cheese.

In a small bowl, melt 2T of butter and stir in 1/2t of Italian seasoning. Brush the seasoned butter over the tops of the rolls.

melted butter with Italian seasoning in a glass bowl

brushing seasoned melted butter on tops of Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted. TIP: Keep a close eye on the rolls and if the tops start to get too crispy, cover them with tin foil to protect them from burning.

Allow the sliders to cool for a few minutes before slicing along the roll seams. Serve warm. If I have extra marinara sauce, left in the sauce pan, I scoop it into small bowls for dipping.

Meatball Slider on Hawaiian Rolls on a plate with pasta salad and a fork on a grey and white striped napkin

Leftovers and Reheating Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat leftover sliders:

Oven Method: Preheat to 350°F. Place sliders in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 10ish minutes until heated through.
Microwave Method: Place a slider on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power for 30-60 seconds.

What to Serve with Meatball Sliders

When serving sliders as the main dish, here are some fun sides I like to serve with them…

Pasta Salad: Like this or this or this
Coleslaw
Fries or Onion Rings
Roasted Vegetables
Corn on the Cob
Side Salads
Fresh Fruit
Chips or Pretzels

FAQ’s

Do I have to use Hawaiian Rolls?

Nope! Small slider buns or brioche buns work as well. I like the sweetness that the Hawaiian rolls add, though.

What’s the best cheese to use for Meatball Sliders

Mozzarella cheese is a great choice as it melts well and mild flavor that complements the meatballs and marinara. For a deeper flavor, try blending in Parmesan or Provolone cheese into the Mozzarella to add a sharper, richer flavor.

Can I make Meatball Sliders ahead of time to serve at parties?

Yes! These sliders are an excellent choice for parties and gatherings, since they are bite-sized and easy to eat. They can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving.

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