Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders Recipe – SO good! Makes a great party appetizer or easy lunch or dinner. Hawaiian rolls stuffed with cream cheese, Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, frozen meatballs, and topped with melted butter and Parmesan cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes! There are never any left when I take these to a potluck or party!
Post updated April 1, 2023
Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders
These Meatball Sliders are a staple at our house. I took all the flavors of our favorite Meatball Sub Cupcakes and stuffed them into Hawaiian rolls. They are so simple to make and they taste fantastic! I think just about anything would taste great stuffed into a Hawaiian roll, don’t you?!? You must give these a try ASAP!
How to Make Cheesy Meatball Sliders
These sandwiches are so easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Cut rolls in half horizontally and place cut side up on a baking sheet. Place the pan in the oven and broil until golden brown. Place the bottom buns in a baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and Italian seasoning. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the bottom buns. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the cream cheese. Spoon pasta sauce over the cheese.
Using a 1-inch round cutter, cut a hole in the top of each roll. Discard bread rounds. Place roll tops on top of the bottom buns. Toss meatballs in pasta sauce. Place one meatball in each hole.
In a small bowl, melt butter. Stir in Italian seasoning. Brush rolls with melted butter mixture and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven. Remove the foil and top the rolls with mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the rolls are slightly crispy and the cheese has melted. Garnish with parsley or fresh basil.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- Our favorite store-bought spaghetti sauces are Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Marinara (green label), Rao’s, Carbone, and La Famiglia DelGrosso.
- Variations/Additions:
- onion
- bell peppers
- garlic cloves
- fresh basil
- I use frozen meatballs. You can make your own meatballs if you prefer.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ground Beef Meatballs: https://www.plainchicken.com/beef-meatballs-meatball-shop/
- Can substitute turkey meatballs for reduced calories.
- To quickly thaw the meatballs, cook them in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave or wrapped in aluminum foil in the oven.
What to Serve with Meatball Sub Sandwiches
These sandwiches are a family favorite! Serve them with pasta salad, green salad, or pasta. They are equally delicious with our favorite Italian Green Bean Salad. These sliders are great for an easy lunch or dinner. They also make a great party appetizer. These things fly off the plate at our family get-togethers. Add them to your menu. One bite and they are sure to become a favorite at your house too!
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Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders
Ingredients:
- 1 (12-count) package Hawaiian rolls
- 3- oz cream cheese room temperature
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup marinara sauce, divided
- 12 (½-oz) frozen meatballs, thawed
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray or line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
- Cut rolls in half horizontally. Place cut side up on a baking sheet. Place the pan in the oven and broil until golden brown. Place the bottom rolls in the prepared pan/sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- Spread cream cheese on bottom half of rolls. Top cream cheese with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Top mozzarella cheese with ½ cup of marinara sauce.
- Using a 1-inch round cutter, cut a hole in the top of each roll. Discard bread rounds. Place roll tops on top of the bottom buns.
- Toss meatballs in the remaining ½ cup of sauce. Place one meatball in each hole.
- Combine melted butter and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Brush melted butter over the rolls. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the rolls with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and discard foil. Top with remaining ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
- Cut into 12 rolls and enjoy!
Notes:
- Our favorite store-bought spaghetti sauces are Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Marinara (green label), Rao’s, Carbone, and La Famiglia DelGrosso.
- Variations/Additions:
- onion
- bell peppers
- garlic cloves
- fresh basil
- I use frozen meatballs. You can make your own meatballs if you prefer.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ground Beef Meatballs: https://www.plainchicken.com/beef-meatballs-meatball-shop/
- Can substitute turkey meatballs for reduced calories.
- To quickly thaw the meatballs, cook them in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave or wrapped in aluminum foil in the oven.
Steph
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can these be made ahead and frozen? cooked or uncooked for freezing?