If you’re searching for a crowd-pleasing finger food that is as delicious as it is easy to prepare, this Meatball Sliders Recipe is exactly what you need. Picture juicy Italian-style meatballs wrapped in golden, buttery crescent rolls, topped with gooey mozzarella and a hint of Italian seasoning. These sliders are the perfect blend of comfort and convenience, making them ideal for parties, game days, or a fun family dinner. You’ll love how every bite delivers a satisfying mix of savory, cheesy, and perfectly baked goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a few simple, classic ingredients is all it takes to make this Meatball Sliders Recipe shine. Each component adds its own special touch – from the hearty meatballs to the melty cheese, and the tender crescent rolls that wrap everything up in warmth and flavor.
- Frozen Italian Style meatballs (32-oz bag): Using pre-cooked frozen meatballs saves time while ensuring a flavorful base.
- Spaghetti sauce (24-oz jar): A rich, tangy sauce keeps the meatballs moist and adds depth.
- Refrigerated crescent rolls (2 cans, 8-oz each): These flaky dough triangles provide the perfect soft and buttery casing.
- Mozzarella cheese (11 slices, each cut into thirds): Melts beautifully for that irresistible cheesy stretch in every slider.
- Italian seasoning (1 tsp, optional): A sprinkle on top brings a fragrant herbaceous note to finish the sliders off.
How to Make Meatball Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by warming your oven to 375ºF. This ensures a hot environment ready to bake your sliders to a perfect golden brown with a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Step 2: Warm the Meatballs and Sauce
Combine the frozen Italian meatballs with the jar of spaghetti sauce in a saucepan. Simmer gently over low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until everything is heated through and the flavors meld beautifully together.
Step 3: Prepare the Crescent Roll Dough
Open the cans of refrigerated crescent rolls and carefully separate the dough into triangles along the pre-cut lines. Then, cut each triangle in half to form smaller triangles, which will be just the right size to wrap around each meatball.
Step 4: Assemble the Sliders
Place a third of a slice of mozzarella cheese on each small crescent roll triangle. Top the cheese with a warm meatball, then roll the dough up, starting from the widest edge. Line these rolled sliders up on a cookie sheet, seam side down, to keep them secure while baking.
Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches
Sprinkle the tops of the prepared sliders with Italian seasoning for an extra burst of herbal flavor. This step is optional, but it adds a lovely aroma and a subtle seasoning boost that perfectly complements the cheesy meatballs.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Look for a golden-brown color on the crescent rolls and let that timer guide you to perfectly baked sliders with melting cheese inside.
How to Serve Meatball Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like fresh basil leaves or a light drizzle of extra marinara sauce can elevate your Meatball Sliders Recipe. Not only do they add a pop of color, but they also reinforce the Italian flavors, making each bite even more memorable.
Side Dishes
To turn these sliders into a full meal, serve alongside a fresh green salad, crispy garlic fries, or a bowl of creamy coleslaw. These sides provide crunch and balance, contrasting beautifully with the hearty, cheesy sliders.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or casual get-togethers, arrange your meatball sliders on a wooden board or a colorful platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing. You can also offer dipping sauces—like ranch, spicy marinara, or even a pesto mayo—to add layers of flavor and make the presentation truly inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers from your Meatball Sliders Recipe, don’t worry—they store incredibly well. Place them in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring they stay soft and flavorful.
Freezing
These sliders freeze wonderfully too. Arrange the unbaked sliders on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, you can bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time for perfect results.
Reheating
Reheat your meatball sliders in the oven at 350ºF for 10 to 12 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if possible to maintain the crescents’ crispiness and avoid sogginess. This way, every slider tastes just as good as the day it was made.
FAQs
Can I make the meatballs from scratch instead of using frozen ones?
Absolutely! Homemade meatballs give you full control over seasoning and ingredients. Just be sure to fully cook them before assembling the sliders, and adjust simmering time accordingly.
What if I don’t have crescent rolls? Can I use another type of dough?
You can substitute crescent roll dough with biscuit dough or pizza dough for a different texture, though the classic buttery flakiness comes from the crescent rolls specifically.
How many sliders does this recipe make?
This Meatball Sliders Recipe yields 32 sliders, making it perfect for large gatherings, potlucks, or even meal prepping for the week.
Can I add other types of cheese instead of mozzarella?
Mozzarella is ideal for its meltiness and mild flavor, but you could try provolone or cheddar for a sharper taste. Just keep in mind that mozzarella’s melting qualities are hard to beat in this recipe.
Are these sliders suitable for freezing after cooking?
Yes, you can freeze cooked meatball sliders. Wrap them individually or in portions to avoid freezer burn, and reheat in the oven to preserve their texture and taste.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly comforting and irresistible about this Meatball Sliders Recipe that keeps me coming back again and again. It’s simple enough to make on a weeknight but impressive enough for guests and celebrations. I can’t wait for you to try it and share these flavorful sliders with the people you love—trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds!
Print
Meatball Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 32 sliders
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Meatball Sliders are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or party snack featuring Italian-style meatballs wrapped in buttery crescent rolls with gooey mozzarella cheese and topped with optional Italian seasoning. Warmed in a savory spaghetti sauce and baked to golden perfection, these sliders offer a perfect bite-sized taste of Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 1 (32-oz) bag frozen Italian Style meatballs
- 1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
Sliders
- 2 (8-oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
- 11 slices mozzarella cheese (each slice cut into thirds)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF to prepare for baking the sliders.
- Warm Meatballs and Sauce: Place the frozen Italian style meatballs and the jar of spaghetti sauce in a pan over low heat. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are fully warmed through and the sauce is heated, about 5-10 minutes.
- Prepare Crescent Rolls: Separate the refrigerated crescent rolls into triangles. Then cut each triangle in half to make smaller triangles suitable for wrapping the meatballs.
- Assemble Sliders: Place one third of a mozzarella slice on each crescent roll triangle, then top with a warm meatball. Roll up the crescent roll around the meatball, ensuring it is wrapped securely, and place it seam-side down on a cookie sheet. Repeat with all remaining pieces.
- Add Seasoning: Optionally, sprinkle Italian seasoning over the tops of all the assembled crescent rolls to add a touch of extra flavor.
- Bake: Put the cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake the sliders for 18-20 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and fully cooked.
Notes
- Make sure to simmer the meatballs in the sauce to ensure they are heated all the way through before assembling.
- Cutting the crescent roll triangles in half yields perfectly sized portions for bite-sized sliders.
- Using mozzarella slices cut into thirds ensures an even cheese distribution in each slider.
- Italian seasoning on top is optional but adds a nice herby flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve warm for best taste and texture.
