Meatball Sliders feature juicy meatballs and spaghetti with marinara sauce tucked inside sweet Hawaiian rolls and topped with melty mozzarella cheese.
Let’s talk about my Spaghetti and Meatball Sliders and why I love them so much!
Yes, you heard that right – Spaghetti Sliders. This recipe is like a mini party all on its own, and it’s perfect for any day of the week, game day, or even for your family get-together.
And to make it even more mouth-watering, we brush the tops with a garlic butter mixture that tastes just like garlic bread. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
Yep, I’m drooling over here. Ha! Seriously, though, when I bring these sliders to a party, they get devoured. That’s why I make a double batch!
So I’ve got some tips for you on how these can be made ahead and stored. It’s nice to have these on hand at a moments notice.
All that meaty pasta goodness wrapped in a bun is hard to resist. This is the form of spaghetti that you never knew you needed.
Plus, they’re easy to make and sure to be a hit with the whole family. Let’s dive into how to make these Meatball Sliders!
Some of our other favorite slider recipes we have on our site include: Easy Pizza Sliders Recipe (Pepperoni & Sausage), Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders Recipe, and French Dip Sliders.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- All Your Favorites in One Bite: Combines the comfort of spaghetti and meatballs with the fun of sliders.
- Great for Sharing: These sliders are perfect for sharing, making them a great appetizer or meal for gatherings.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids will love these mini meatball subs, making mealtime fun!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Frozen fries
- Lean ground beef
- Italian bread crumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Large egg
- Beefy onion soup mix
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Black pepper
- Spaghetti noodles
- Jarred marinara sauce
- Hawaiian rolls
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salted butter
- Dried Italian seasoning
- Onion powder
HOW TO MAKE MEATBALL SLIDERS:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Line a sheet tray with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, parmesan, egg, onion soup mix, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper until well combined, do not overmix. I like to use my hands for this step.
- Divide the mixture into 12 portions and roll into balls. Place on the prepared sheet tray, not touching.
- Bake the meatballs for 10-15 minutes until an internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the meatballs are baking, make the spaghetti. Place the cooked noodles into a large bowl with the marinara sauce and parmesan cheese, stir to combine.
- Slice the rolls in half lengthwise. Place the bottom, cut side up into the prepared baking dish.
- Add the spaghetti on top of the rolls.
- Place one meatball onto each slider.
- Add the mozzarella on top of the meatballs.
- Top with the top of the rolls.
- In a small bowl, stir together the butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Brush this all over the tops of the rolls, use it all!
- Cover with nonstick foil or spray a large piece of foil with nonstick spray and cover the sliders, make sure the oil doesnt touch the tops.
- Bake for 20 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the tops of the rolls are browned.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I USE FROZEN MEATBALLS?
Yes, definitely! Using frozen meatballs is a fantastic way to save some time and still enjoy delicious spaghetti and meatball sliders.
Just make sure to choose a brand of frozen meatballs that you like, as they’re the centerpiece of this dish.
CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?
Absolutely, parts of this recipe can be prepared in advance.
You can bake the meatballs and cook the spaghetti ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to assemble your sliders, simply reheat these components, add your cheese and sauce, and bake until everything is hot and the cheese is melted.
This makes assembling and baking your sliders just before serving super easy and quick!
ANY ADDITIONS?
Yeppers! There are all kinds of things you could add. Just like with spaghetti!
- Add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a spicy kick.
- Include slices of provolone cheese for a gooey cheese layer.
- Mix fresh basil into the marinara sauce for a fresh twist.
- Top each meatball with a little parsley flakes for color.
- Serve with a side of zesty marinara for dipping.
- Sprinkle the top of the sliders with parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Add a layer of sautéed bell peppers and onions under the meatballs for added veggies.
- Serve with a bowl of buffalo chicken dip for a variety-filled game day spread.
- Place a thin slice of pepperoni on top of each meatball before the cheese for a pizza-flavored twist.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Let me know in the comments if you think of anything you would have liked to see on this list.
- Use turkey or chicken ground meat instead of beef for a lighter option.
- Swap out Hawaiian sweet rolls for dinner rolls or other slider buns based on what’s available.
- Replace homemade meatballs with premade meatballs if you’re short on time.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Place leftover sliders in an airtight container and store for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave or in the oven covered with foil to prevent burning.
Freezer: Wrap sliders individually in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to enjoy.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use a pastry brush to evenly apply the garlic butter mixture.
- Bake the sliders in a preheated oven on the center rack for the best results.
- Use an ice cream scoop for evenly sized meatballs.
- Make sure to not overcook the meatballs; juicy meatballs are the best meatballs.
- Let the sliders rest for 5-10 minutes after baking for the cheese to set slightly before serving.
Meatball Sliders are a delicious way to enjoy two classic dishes in one fun and easy-to-eat format.
Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, a tasty game day snack, or a new favorite for movie night, these sliders are sure to please.
With the option to customize and make-ahead, it’s a super versatile recipe that fits into any meal plan.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried these MEATBALL SLIDERS, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Baked Spaghetti and Meatball Sliders
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef 80/20
- 2 tablespoons Italian bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 envelope beefy onion soup mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the sliders:
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles cooked al dente and drained
- 1 cup jarred marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Line a sheet tray with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, parmesan, egg, onion soup mix, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper until well combined, do not overmix. I like to use my hands for this step.1/2 pound lean ground beef, 2 tablespoons Italian bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 envelope beefy onion soup mix, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Divide the mixture into 12 portions and roll into balls. Place on the prepared sheet tray, not touching.
- Bake the meatballs for 10-15 minutes until an internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the meatballs are baking, make the spaghetti. Place the cooked noodles into a large bowl with the marinara sauce and parmesan cheese, stir to combine.8 ounces spaghetti noodles, 1 cup jarred marinara sauce, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Slice the rolls in half lengthwise. Place the bottom, cut side up into the prepared baking dish.12 Hawaiian rolls
- Add the spaghetti on top of the rolls.
- Place one meatball onto each slider.
- Add the mozzarella on top of the meatballs.2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Top with the top of the rolls.
- In a small bowl, stir together the butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Brush this all over the tops of the rolls, use it all!1/2 cup salted butter, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Cover with nonstick foil or spray a large piece of foil with nonstick spray and cover the sliders, make sure the oil doesnt touch the tops.
- Bake for 20 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the tops of the rolls are browned.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Use a pastry brush to evenly apply the garlic butter mixture.
- Bake the sliders in a preheated oven on the center rack for the best results.
- Use an ice cream scoop for evenly sized meatballs.
- Make sure to not overcook the meatballs; juicy meatballs are the best meatballs.
- Let the sliders rest for 5-10 minutes after baking for the cheese to set slightly before serving.
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