Sometimes when Lisa and I go day drinking for pedicures we go sober up eat at this Italian place next to the salon. It’s called Buona Vita and they have meatball sliders!
They come on garlic bread instead of a roll. I get them every dang time I go. I just HEART meatballs. I mean, seriously, what’s not to love? It just isn’t very convenient for me to go to Buona Vita. Lisa, however, lives right down the street. Must be nice.
I’ve had to resort to making my own. Not to worry, though. Meatballs are totally easy to make! If you don’t want to bother making your own sauce, just use the stuff in a jar. Rao’s is my fave ever since Cara turned me on to it.
Seriously, go make you some meatball sliders. Oh, and Lisa? I really need to go day drinking for a pedicure soon.

Meatball Sliders
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 medium onion diced
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1-2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1-2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs I use the Progresso ones in the blue can
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup Parmesan or Parmesiano-Reggiano
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground mild Italian sausage
For the Sliders
- 12 cups prepared marinara sauce
- 1 garlic clove halved
- Butter for spreading on roll
- A few fresh basil leaves rolled and sliced
- Freshly grated Parmesan or Parmesiano-Reggiano
- 1 crusty Italian sub roll
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350
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Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and use your hands to combine, careful not to overwork the meat
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Roll into meatballs (I make mine huge like baseballs)
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Place meatballs in a large high sided baking dish
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Pour in about 1 - 1 1/2 inch of water (this prevents them from burning)
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Bake at 350 for about 1 1/2 hours, or until done (time will depend on size of meatballs)
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Move meatballs into a slow cooker set to warm, cover with sauce and let flavors combine for several hours
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Slice sub roll into 3 inch wide pieces, slice down the middle, rub bread with garlic, spread on the butter and broil or toast until browned
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Top each roll with 1 meatball, a little sauce and garnish with cheese and basil
Notes: This recipe makes about 10 very large meatballs and a lot of sauce. You can make adjustments to the amount and size of the meatballs. I usually make the meatballs the night before and bake them. I put them in the slow cooker the next day and let them do their thing all day while I’m at work. We usually have spaghetti and meatballs for dinner then use the leftovers for sliders or subs.
These look so so so so soooo good! I’m salivating 🙂
LOL! Thanks Medha!
Looks absolutely mouth watering!!! I could go for a meatball slider right about now! Pinned!
You totally should, Mariah! Thanks for the Pin!
These look amazing. And putting them on garlic bread – WINNER. Pinning 🙂
Thanks Andrea, and thanks for the Pin!
These look absolutely delicious! Need to make some this weekend!
Thanks, Mira! I hope you love them as much as I do!
How about next Sunday for day drinking, I mean getting a pedicure?
Lol! Yes! Count me in!!! And I have no idea what you are talking about – I never drink during the day!
These look great! Your post made me laugh…. Hope you enjoyed that pedicure!
I’m glad you laughed, Kathy! 🙂
yum! I love that these come on garlic bread at your favorite spot. Sounds amazing! I love meatballs and especially in slider form.
Me too, Bri!
These meatball sliders look amazing! I am seriously craving these for dinner right now. And the garlic bread is the perfect touch! Pinned!
Thanks Gayle and thanks for the Pin!
You definitely have got me craving sliders right now – these look amazing!
Thanks Thalia! Don’t ya just love sliders?