Description
These Pull-Apart Meatball Sliders with Herbed Ricotta are a delightful blend of savory meatballs, rich herbed ricotta, and melted mozzarella, all nestled inside sweet Hawaiian rolls. Perfect as a party appetizer or a fun family meal, these sliders are baked until golden and gooey, offering an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Meatballs and Sauce
- 12 prepared meatballs of choice
- 1 cup Simple Tomato Sauce or jarred marinara sauce of choice, plus extra for serving
Rolls
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls or pull-apart dinner rolls of choice
Herbed Ricotta Cheese
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped leafy fresh herbs (e.g. basil, parsley, oregano, etc.)
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season (approximately ½ teaspoon kosher salt for the ricotta mixture)
Additional Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and position a rack in the upper third of the oven. Prepare the meatballs according to your chosen recipe or package directions.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Once cooked, transfer the meatballs to a medium saucepan with the tomato sauce and simmer over low heat to keep warm.
- Prepare the Herbed Ricotta Cheese: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, fresh herbs, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Set aside or refrigerate in an airtight container if not using immediately.
- Hollow Out the Rolls: Place the Hawaiian sweet rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a paring knife, carefully hollow out each roll to create a cavity approximately 1½ to 2 inches in diameter, ensuring the bottoms remain intact to hold the filling.
- Assemble the Meatball Sliders: Spread about 1 tablespoon of the herbed ricotta cheese into each hollowed roll. Place one warm meatball into each cavity, spoon a bit of tomato sauce over the meatball, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the Sliders: Bake the assembled sliders in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread is golden and toasty.
- Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Carefully transfer to a platter and serve immediately with extra tomato sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use homemade meatballs or store-bought ones for convenience.
- The herbed ricotta can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge for up to one week.
- Be careful when hollowing out the rolls to leave enough bread at the bottom to support the filling.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce or the herbed ricotta.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor in the herbed ricotta, but dried herbs can be substituted in smaller quantities if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
