Description
These Pull-Apart Meatball Sliders with Herbed Ricotta are a delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal perfect for game days, holiday parties, or casual dinners. Soft Hawaiian rolls are hollowed out and filled with creamy herbed ricotta, juicy beef meatballs simmered in tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, then baked until golden and bubbly. Easy to make with store-bought or homemade ingredients, these sliders are perfect for sharing and irresistible to eat.
Ingredients
Meatball Sliders
- 12 prepared beef meatballs
- 1 cup simple tomato sauce or jarred marinara sauce of choice, plus extra for serving
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls or pull-apart dinner rolls of choice
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Herbed Ricotta Cheese
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped leafy fresh herbs (e.g. basil, parsley, oregano)
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season (about ½ teaspoon salt)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the upper third. Cook the beef meatballs according to your recipe or package directions, then transfer them to a medium saucepan with the tomato sauce and simmer on low heat to keep warm.
- Make Herbed Ricotta Cheese: In a bowl, combine ricotta, parmesan, chopped herbs, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Set aside or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Hollow Out the Rolls: Place the Hawaiian rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a paring knife, carefully hollow out each roll to create a 1½-2 inch diameter cavity, making sure to keep the bottom intact. Set the hollowed rolls aside.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of herbed ricotta inside each hollowed roll. Place one warm meatball into each cavity, spoon some tomato sauce over the meatball, and then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the Sliders: Transfer the assembled sliders to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the bread is golden and toasty. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve: Carefully transfer the meatball sliders to a serving platter and serve them immediately with extra tomato sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy these delicious pull-apart sliders warm!
Notes
- You can use store-bought, frozen, or homemade meatballs depending on your preference and time.
- Feel free to customize the fresh herbs in the ricotta to suit your taste.
- Keep the bottom of the rolls intact when hollowing out to hold fillings without leakage.
- Serve extra tomato sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling over the sliders.
- These sliders can be prepared ahead up to assembly and baked just before serving for convenience.
