These meatball marinara sliders are everything you want in a party bite—warm, saucy, cheesy, and easy to make in a big batch. Tender meatballs simmered in marinara, tucked into soft rolls with fresh mozzarella and basil, then baked until golden. They come out melty and messy in the best way.
This is the kind of recipe you make when you’re feeding a crowd or just want something fun and satisfying. The garlic butter brushed on top adds serious flavor, and the parmesan gives the buns a little crusty edge. You can prep everything ahead of time, then just bake before serving.
Helpful Tips
- Use sturdy rolls: Soft dinner rolls are great, but make sure they aren’t too flimsy or they’ll fall apart under the sauce.
- Slice the mozzarella thick: A generous slice will melt nicely and hold everything together.
- Don’t skip the garlic butter topping: It adds a buttery, herby layer that makes the sliders irresistible.
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Meatball Marinara Sliders
Ingredients
- 30 small pre-cooked meatballs store-bought
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 10 dinner rolls
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 20 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic grated
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley minced
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 pan.
- Heat the marinara in a pot on the stove top. Add the meatballs and heat until warmed through.
- Cut the rolls in half and place the bottom buns in the prepared pan. Place 3 meatballs on each bottom bun. Top with additional sauce, a slice of mozzarella, and a few pieces of basil. Place the top buns on each slider.
- In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, garlic, garlic powder, and parsley. Brush the mixture evenly over the tops of all the buns. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.