Garlic Bread Sliders with Meatball Filling

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Garlic Bread Sliders with Meatball Filling.

1. Step 1

   Begin by preheating your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C).

2. Step 2

   In a saucepan, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.

3. Step 3

   Toss in the diced onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic, sautéing until the onion turns tender and translucent, which should take about 5 minutes.

4. Step 4

   In a spacious bowl, mix together the ground beef, the fragrant onion-garlic blend, chopped parsley, an egg, bread crumbs, and a generous handful of fontina cheese, saving some for later.

5. Step 5

   Season this mixture with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne, then gently combine everything by hand until just blended.

6. Step 6

   Scoop the meat mixture into 24 mini muffin cups, shaping them into rustic meatballs—perfection is not required.

7. Step 7

   Bake these delightful bites in your preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes, or until they are cooked through and no longer pink inside.

8. Step 8

   Once done, let the meatballs cool slightly while you whip up the garlic butter.

9. Step 9

   In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it bubbles, then stir in the remaining minced garlic and remove from heat.

10. Step 10

    Set this aromatic concoction aside.

11. Step 11

    Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and drizzle it with the remaining olive oil.

12. Step 12

    Arrange the dinner rolls on the sheet, keeping them attached, and carve out a hole in the top of each roll, going about two-thirds of the way down.

13. Step 13

    Generously brush the garlic butter over both the insides and outsides of the rolls.

14. Step 14

    Bake the rolls until they achieve a golden brown hue, which should take around 8 minutes.

15. Step 15

    Once they’re ready, pour about 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce into each hollow, then lovingly stuff the meatballs into the openings.

16. Step 16

    Top each roll with a spoonful of tomato sauce and sprinkle with the reserved fontina cheese, finishing with a dusting of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

17. Step 17

    Return the rolls to the oven and continue baking until the cheese is beautifully melted, about 12 to 15 minutes.

18. Step 18

    For a final touch, garnish with extra parsley.

19. Step 19

    Allow the rolls to rest for 5 to 10 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a serving platter, ready to impress your guests with this savory delight.