Smashed Meatball Sliders Recipe

Introduction

Smashed Meatball Sliders are a flavorful twist on classic meatball subs, featuring tender, flattened meatballs with a crispy crust. Perfect for gatherings or a satisfying snack, these sliders combine juicy meatballs, melted cheese, fresh basil, and warm marinara sauce on toasted rolls.

Ingredients

• 1.1 lbs beef mince
• 1.1 lbs pork mince
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp BBQ rub
• 1 egg (plus extra if needed)
• 4 sliced bread rolls
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2–3 cups marinara sauce
• 3–4 leaves fresh basil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs, minced garlic, BBQ rub, and 1 egg. Mix well and let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add ground pork and beef to the bowl, mixing thoroughly. If the mixture feels too dry, add another egg; if too wet, add more bread crumbs.
3. Step 3: Form the mixture into 3–4 oz meatballs and place them in the fridge to set for 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: Preheat your smoker to 300°F (medium-low heat) and heat a griddle to 400–425°F.
5. Step 5: Place meatballs on the hot griddle and cook for 60–90 seconds on one side. Flip them over, then use a spatula to gently press each meatball to flatten it to about ⅓ to ½ inch thick, taking care not to press too thin to avoid crumbling.
6. Step 6: Cook the flattened meatballs for 4–5 minutes until a crust forms, then flip and cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F.
7. Step 7: While the meatballs cook, toast the slider buns in butter until lightly golden and then remove from heat.
8. Step 8: Place small slices of cheese on the meatballs while they are still on the griddle to melt.
9. Step 9: Spread warm marinara sauce on both the top and bottom of each toasted bun and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil.
10. Step 10: Assemble the sliders by placing the cheesy, smashed meatballs between the buns and serve immediately while warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning to the meat mixture.
• Substitute bread crumbs with crushed crackers or panko for a different texture.
• Try adding provolone or mozzarella cheese slices for a melty topping.
• If you don’t have a smoker, you can cook the meatballs entirely on the griddle or skillet.

Storage

Store leftover sliders wrapped tightly in foil or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a microwave or oven until warmed through. To maintain crispness, re-toast the buns lightly before assembling again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and shape the meatballs a day in advance and keep them refrigerated. Just cover them well and follow the cooking instructions when ready to serve.

What if I don’t have fresh basil?

Fresh basil adds a bright flavor, but you can substitute with dried basil or fresh parsley if needed. Add dried herbs sparingly as they are more concentrated.

Smashed Meatball Sliders Recipe

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These Smashed Meatball Sliders combine juicy beef and pork meatballs seasoned with garlic and BBQ rub, smashed and cooked to perfection on a griddle, then topped with melted cheese and fresh basil inside toasted slider buns slathered with marinara sauce. Perfect for a flavorful, satisfying appetizer or meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with savory goodness.

• Author: nova
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 slider servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs:

• 1.1 lbs beef mince
• 1.1 lbs pork mince
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp BBQ rub
• 1 egg (plus an optional extra if mixture is too dry)

Slider Assembly:

• 4 sliced bread rolls (slider buns)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2–3 cups marinara sauce
• 3–4 leaves fresh basil, chopped
• Cheese slices (smaller slices, quantity as desired)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs, minced garlic, BBQ rub, and one egg. Mix until combined and let it stand for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
2. Add the Meats: Add ground pork and ground beef to the bowl and mix thoroughly. Adjust the texture by adding an extra egg if mixture feels too dry or additional bread crumbs if too wet.
3. Form Meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into 3-4 oz meatballs, ensuring even sizes for consistent cooking. Place the formed meatballs in the fridge to set for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat Equipment: Preheat your smoker to 300°F (medium-low heat) and heat the griddle to 400-425°F to prepare for cooking the meatballs.
5. Cook Meatballs on Griddle: Place the meatballs on the hot griddle and cook for 60-90 seconds on the first side. Flip them over, then use a spatula to gently press each meatball down to about 1/3″ to 1/2″ thick, being careful not to crush them too thin to avoid crumbling.
6. Sear and Smash: Let the flattened meatballs cook undisturbed on the griddle for 4-5 minutes until a crust forms. Flip again and cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F, ensuring they are fully cooked through.
7. Toast Slider Buns: While meatballs cook, spread butter on the sliced slider buns and toast them on medium heat until lightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
8. Melt Cheese: During the last moments of cooking, place smaller slices of cheese atop each meatball and allow them to melt while still on the griddle.
9. Assemble Sliders: Spread a generous amount of warm marinara sauce on the top and bottom halves of the toasted buns. Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil to each slice of sauce for freshness.
10. Serve: Place the cheesy smashed meatballs onto the bottom bun, cover with the top bun, and serve immediately while warm to enjoy the full flavors and textures of these delicious sliders.

Notes

• Make sure not to press the meatballs too thin to avoid them crumbling during cooking.
• Using a meat thermometer ensures the meatballs reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
• For added flavor, feel free to customize the BBQ rub or add different herbs inside the meat mixture.
• Cheese slices are optional but add a nice melty texture and flavor to the sliders.
• These sliders can be prepared ahead by shaping meatballs and refrigerating before cooking.

Keywords: Smashed meatball sliders, smashed meatballs, meatball slider recipe, grilled sliders, beef and pork meatballs, easy appetizer, melted cheese sliders