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Easy Italian Meatball Sliders That Are Perfect For Your Next Party Spread
If you’re hosting a party and want something cheesy, comforting, and absolutely addictive, these Italian meatball sliders are a total win.
They’re hot, handheld, and easy to whip up with minimal prep—exactly what I love for game nights, birthday parties, or just a laid-back Friday night with friends.
Made with soft Hawaiian rolls, saucy meatballs, and gooey mozzarella, this is one of those sliders for party situations that’ll disappear in minutes.
Bonus? These also count as one of my favorite dump and go crockpot dinners when I heat the meatballs in marinara ahead of time—so they’re great for feeding a hungry crowd fast.
Whether you call them Italian sandwich sliders, hot Italian sub sliders, or just party food perfection, this recipe’s staying in my rotation for good.
Easy Pull-Apart Meatball Sliders Recipe
Yields: 12 sliders
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
RELATED: This Italian-Themed Pass the Prize Game Will Be ALL The Rage At Your Party!
Italian Meatball Sliders Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- 12 frozen meatballs, cooked
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
How To Make Italian Meatball Sliders
Preheat the oven to 375°F, then place all 12 rolls onto a small baking sheet.
Use a serrated knife to cut a 1-inch square from the top of each roll, creating a small pocket.
Spoon a little marinara into each pocket.
Press a meatball inside of each pocket.
Pour the remaining marinara over the tops of the meatballs.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over all 12 sliders.
Stir the garlic powder and Italian seasoning into the melted butter, then drizzle over the top of the rolls.
Bake for 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve warm with extra marinara on the side for dipping!
🧀 Top Tips for Recipe Success
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Toast the rolls lightly before filling for a bit of extra crunch and structure.
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Make ahead tip: Warm the meatballs in a slow cooker with marinara to save time when assembling.
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Try mixing up the cheese—provolone, parmesan, or even spicy pepper jack all work great in this recipe.
Perfect For Parties of All Kinds
These Italian sliders with Hawaiian rolls are my go-to for so many occasions—birthday buffets, tailgating spreads, family movie night, or even Sunday dinner when I don’t want to cook a full meal. They also make a great addition to slider sandwich recipes if you’re setting up a sandwich bar party.
Planning a celebration?
Don’t forget to grab a few printable party games while you’re here! I always say food and fun go hand in hand.
You can even pair these meatball sliders with this super-fun Italian Slang Trivia game for a full-on festive vibe.
👉 Check out all our party games here
Italian Meatball Sliders
Yield:
12
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
1 minute
Total Time:
11 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- 12 frozen meatballs, cooked
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Place all 12 rolls (still connected) onto a small baking sheet.
- Use a serrated knife to cut a 1-inch square from the top of each roll, creating a small pocket.
- Spoon a little marinara into each pocket, then press a meatball gently inside.
- Pour the remaining marinara over the tops of the meatballs.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over all 12 sliders.
- Stir the garlic powder and Italian seasoning into the melted butter, then drizzle over the top of the rolls.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm with extra marinara on the side for dipping!
