In just 35 minutes, make the best Meatball Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls using homemade or frozen meatballs. These Meatball Sliders are perfect for game day, a potluck, or an easy weeknight dinner!
For your next game day, fall feast, backyard bash, or weekend hosting night, easily make these saucy and cheesy meatball sliders with Hawaiian sweet rolls.
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, you can Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Why You Will Love these Pull-Apart Sliders
- Easy Recipe | Thaw frozen meatballs, slice the rolls in half, top with cheese and tomato sauce, add the delicious buttery topping, then bake!
- Crowd-Pleaser | Who doesn’t love mini cheesy meatball subs with soft and airy Hawaiian rolls?
- Versatile | Hawaiian roll meatball sliders are excellent as a snack, entree, appetizer, or game night finger food!
We love sliders! Try my popular Philly Cheesesteak Sliders, Hammy Sammies, or these tender Roast Beef Sliders.
Simple Ingredients
Hawaiian Buns | I like Hawaiian rolls, but you can use your favorite dinner rolls. Savory or sweet Hawaiian rolls are delicious!
Meatballs | Make the recipe easy using frozen, cooked, thawed cocktail meatballs. Use Italian, beef, chicken, or turkey – or make homemade. See my brand favorites in the FAQs below.
Fresh Tip
- If making your own meatballs, cook them before making the sliders. Even better if you simmer them in your marinara sauce!
Sauce | I like to make fresh marinara sauce, but your favorite sauce from the grocery store works, too! My favorite is Rao’s!
Cheese | Shredded mozzarella cheese evenly distributes and melts perfectly! However, slicesof mozzarella cheese will also do the trick.
Butter and Worcestershire sauce | Combine melted butter and Worcestershire sauce as the base of the buttery roll topping.
Seasoning | Add Italian seasoning and garlic powder to the delicious butter mixture to top off the Italian flavors of the recipe.
How to Make Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
Set a timer because you won’t believe how fast this recipe is. Start by preheating the oven to 350° F (175° C) and preparing a 9×13-inch baking dish with spray oil or parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Next, use a serrated knife to slice the pack of Hawaiian rolls in half, with the bottom half of the rolls slightly thicker than the top half — this helps avoid soggy buns!
Place the slab of bottom buns in the baking dish or on a sheet pan and set a meatball on each.
Fresh Tips
- If you prefer your sliders to be more moist or even slightly soggy, use a baking dish. On the other hand, use a baking sheet if you desire dry sliders with a subtly crisp outside.
- Slice the meatball in half to overlap on the rolls instead of keeping it whole. Either way is delicious!
Then, top the meatballs with the tasty sauce and sprinkle over the shredded mozzarella or cover the meatballs with a slice of cheese.
Replace the tops of the rolls and move on to making the buttery topping. (psst… this is the best part.)
Mix the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a small bowl, then brush the buttery mix on top of the slider buns, and don’t forget to get the sides of the buns! If desired, sprinkle the tops with a little grated parmesan cheese.
Finally, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 7 to 10 more minutes until the cheese is ooey gooey, melted and the sliders are golden brown.
Fresh Tips
- Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the side and top of the buns with the buttery sauce.
- Sprinkle on some freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired!
Serve the sliders while they’re hot and fresh from the oven!
Need more easy recipes for game day appetizers? Check out my delicious Pigs in a Blanket recipe, fan-favorite White Queso Cheese Dip with toasty tortilla chips, or Easy Oven-Baked Turkey and Cheese Sliders!
Variations & Substitutions for Pull-Apart Meatball Sliders
Homemade Pasta Sauce: Swap the jarred marinara for my homemade pasta sauce. If you didn’t know, there is a slight difference between marinara sauce and pasta sauce. Learn more about it here!
Change the Rolls: This recipe works best with pull-apart rolls, but you can make it with any kind you prefer! Also, hotdog, hamburger, or slider buns will work if you tuck them close together in the baking dish or pan.
Homemade Meatballs: The sliders recipe is also a hit when made with homemade meatballs! Just be sure they are fully cooked before assembling the sandwiches.
Change the Cheese: We also loved combining stretchy mozzarella and provolone when testing these sliders. Use your favorite!
Gluten-Free Meatball Sliders
Since I have so many friends and family who are gluten-free, buy some yummy gluten-free slider rolls to sub in and make sure your meatballs are gluten-free or if making your own, make without bread crumbs or use gluten-free panko or breadcrumbs. Watch your sauce and shred your own cheese from the block!
Can I Make Keto Meatball Sliders?
Making low-carb or keto meatball sliders is easy, you can use Keto Slider rolls (I hear that Aldi’s are the best, if you live near one!) or make some Magic Protein buns or keep the buns off.
Try and make your own keto low-carb meatballs; how about these stuffed with mozzarella (yum!). Be sure to purchase a low-carb marinara and shred your cheese.
Recommended Tools
- These USA Baking pans are my faves!
- A sturdy silicone basting brush will make it so much easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
Great idea! You can use ground chicken, ground turkey, pork, and plant-based meat substitutes. Make your own meatballs or buy frozen turkey or chicken meatballs.
You do. Because the little sandwiches only bake for a few minutes to melt the cheese and warm the juicy meatballs, they are best pre-cooked. If you use frozen cooked meatballs, thaw them before assembling, and if you use your own recipe, ensure they are fully cooked and cooled slightly before baking with the rolls and toppings.
Our favorite brands are Cooked Perfect Brand, Organic Italian Style Meatballs, or Trader Joe’s Italian Meatballs, or try their turkey meatballs!
Storage Tips
Refrigerate – Store leftover meatball sliders completely cooled in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge.
How to Reheat Meatball Sliders
To reheat leftover sliders, preheat the oven to 350° F (175° C) and place leftover sliders in a baking dish covered with foil and bake for 5-10 minutes until they are warmed through, removing the foil for the last 3-5 minutes. You can also wrap each slider in foil and set them in a crockpot on warm or low to easily heat them.
Make-Ahead Sliders
Assemble the sliders, then add the garlic butter to the tops of the rolls just before baking for the best results. To avoid soggy sliders, I suggest to add some cheese to the bottom of the buns, then meatballs, sauce and more cheese on top, to help protect the buns from the sauce.
Can you Freeze Meatball Sliders?
Yes! Meatball sliders are freezer-friendly. Cool baked sliders completely and transfer to a freezer-safe container or Ziplock baggie, freeze for 3-6 months. For best results, wrap the cooled sliders individually in plastic wrap and then place in a container or Ziploc bag.
To reheat, thaw the sliders in the fridge overnight and bake covered with foil for 5-10 minutes on 350°F (175° C). Remove the foil and bake for another 3 minutes or until warmed all through.
Reheat From Frozen: Cover with foil (removing any plastic wrap) and place in a baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes then remove the foil and bake an additional 3 minutes or until warmed through.
What to serve with Hawaiian Rolls Meatball Sliders
Best Side Dishes for Meatball Hawaiian Roll Sliders
This meatball sliders recipe is excellent with all kinds of sides. When served with a classic pasta salad, like this Italian Pasta Salad, Bacon Balsamic Macaroni Salad , and this hearty Italian Chopped Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing!
Best Italian Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
All the right flavors, bright and colorful, packed into this beautiful pasta salad. Great for a crowd or your family, the leftovers are even better!
Bacon Balsamic Macaroni Salad
Crisp bacon pieces strewn throughout this delectable, creamy bacon balsamic macaroni salad that is loaded with crunchy celery, bright red grape tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese and topped with a mouthwatering creamy balsamic ranch dressing.
Best Easy Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
Loaded Italian chopped salad with fresh veggies, salami, provolone, kalamata olives, and homemade Italian vinaigrette. A light and delicious meal that will make you love salads!
Best Desserts to Serve with Hawaiian Rolls Meatball Sliders
Keep the Italian flavors going by ending the meal with classic Italian Tiramisu – much easier than you imagine – Yum! Or try this deliciously creamy and rich Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake with my Lemon Gelato!
Lemon Ice Cream {Lemon Gelato}
Lemon ice cream has the perfect balance of sweet-tart ratio, that is both refreshing and enticing. While not quite an authentic lemon gelato recipe, this is a close smooth, creamy cousin and is bursting with fresh lemon flavor!
Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe
Traditional Tiramisu is an Italian dessert recipe with layers of mascarpone custard, whipped cream, layered between rum and espresso soaked ladyfingers.
Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe
You are going to love my Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe. This rich, moist cake is an easy cake recipe filled with rich lemon flavor and creamy ricotta that is an authentic Italian treat – made right in your kitchen. This easy lemon ricotta cake may look plain, but the taste is out of this world! An Italian cheesecake if you will!
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Easy Creamy Bow Tie Pasta Recipe (Farfalle Pasta)
- Best Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe (Low-Carb)
- Easy Penne alla Vodka with Sausage (30 Minutes)
Great Game Day Recipes
- Cowboy Crack Dip (oh so good, serve hot or cold!)
- Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
- Korean Chicken
- Creamy White Queso
Favorite Sliders
We love sliders, not only are they fun and shareable, but they are easy too! Try all of my favorites!
You will love these popular Philly Cheesesteak Sliders, our Cheeseburger Sliders, these Roast Beef Sliders, our famous Hammy Sammies and don’t forget these Breakfast Sliders.
To avoid “soggy bottoms” when slicing the slab of Hawaiian pull-apart rolls in half, slice the bottom half slightly thicker than the top.
I hope you loved this Easy Meatball Sliders Recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
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Easy Baked Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
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Print Pin Save RateEquipment
- Silicone Basting Brush – Small
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian rolls use sweet, butter or use Brioche slider rolls, Keto (low-carb)
- 12 cocktail meatballs thawed (use Italian, beef, chicken, plant-based or turkey)
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded or 1 slice of mozzarella cheese per slider (12 slices)
- 2-3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- parmesan cheese grated for tops of sliders (optional)
- 1 cup marinara warmed, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175° C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with spray oil or line a sheet pan with a sheet of parchment paper.*
- Using a serrated knife, slice the rolls in half lengthwise. *Slice the bottom half slightly thicker than the top of the buns, this will avoid soggy bottoms.
- Place the roll’s bottom half onto the baking dish or sheet pan and place a meatball onto each roll. If desired, slice meatball in half and overlap onto each roll.
- Top the meatballs with the sauce and sprinkle or layer the mozzarella cheese on top of the meatballs. Place the roll tops back on top of the meatballs.
- Mix the butter, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Brush the mixture on the top and sides of the rolls.
- Cover with foil and place the sliders in the oven, baking for 15-20 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 7-10 minutes until cheese is melted and sliders are golden. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Made, ate, loved. The flavours were amazing!
Love!!!
These are simply perfect! Made it to watch the game this weekend. Everyone loved it so much there was none left!
Yay! Love hearing that!
Made this for our movie night and they were so cheesy! We enjoyed it so much.
So glad you liked them! Thanks
This was a such a delicious and easy recipe! So good!
Thank you!
Those rolls look so good. Such fun food. Just puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Thanks!
These are AMAZING!!!
Thank you!