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hawaiian roll meatball sliders

Italian Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders

Delicious Italian Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders recipe with step-by-step instructions.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 24 sliders
Calories: 3500
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the sliders
  • 24 Hawaiian rolls (King Arthur buns recommended)
  • 36 meatballs (fully cooked and thawed)
  • 2 3/4 cups marinara (Rao’s recommended)
  • 14 slices mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
For the topping
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated finely)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. While it heats, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then stir in the garlic salt and dried oregano until fully combined. Set this mixture aside—it will be used to brush the tops of the sliders just before baking. Having this ready in advance ensures you won't rush this step when assembling.
  2. Slice all 24 Hawaiian rolls in half lengthwise and arrange the bottom halves in a 9x13 inch baking dish, placing them cut-side up to create an even base layer. This layout ensures the sliders cook evenly and stay together during baking. I find that arranging them tightly packed helps them steam slightly, keeping the rolls soft and connected.
  3. Arrange the 36 fully cooked meatballs evenly over the roll bottoms—you'll have roughly 1.5 meatballs per slider. Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs, using about 2 3/4 cups total and ensuring adequate coverage. The sauce distributes heat and creates a cohesive filling that keeps everything moist during baking.
  4. Layer the 14 mozzarella cheese slices over the sauced meatballs, overlapping them slightly and positioning them so each slider gets cheese coverage. Place the roll tops over the cheese layer, pressing down gently so everything nestles together. I like to stagger the top roll halves slightly offset from the bottom halves so the cheese peeks through a bit—it melts more evenly this way.
  5. Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, apply the butter mixture from Step 1 generously over the tops of all the roll halves, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle the finely grated parmesan cheese evenly over the buttered tops. The butter helps the rolls brown beautifully while the parmesan adds a sharp, nutty flavor that complements the sweet rolls and rich meatballs.
  6. Bake in the preheated 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The rolls should feel slightly firm when pressed but still have a soft interior. Let the pan rest for 2-3 minutes after removing from the oven so the sliders set slightly and are easier to serve. Present the baking dish warm at the table and pull apart the sliders along their natural seams.