Meatball Parmesan Sliders

It’s Super Bowl Week and although the game looks VERY different this year, it’s still 100% necessary to have all the food. There are a few dishes that are a must when it comes to the big game and these meatball sliders are everything! Skip the pizza this year and make these instead. They’re packed with all the flavor and stuffed with cheese! Oh, and did I mention they’re served on a sweet Hawaiian dinner roll. They’re sort of the best things ever. I hope you all enjoy the game this weekend!

Entertaining tips:

1. Build the meatballs the day before the game, but don’t cook. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator. The day of, cook the meatballs and make the sauce.

Recipe:serves 6-8

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground pork

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

2 eggs

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp dried parsley

2 tsp dried basil

2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground onion

1/2 tsp ground garlic

1/4 tsp red chili flakes

16oz fresh whole milk mozzarella

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 package of Sweet Hawaiian Dinner Rolls

For the sauce:

28oz can crushed San Marzano Tomatoes

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp chili flakes

1 tsp honey

1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, add the panko bread crumbs and milk. Mix together and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, add ground beef, pork, eggs, parmesan, oregano, parsley, basil, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili flakes.

3. Add panko mixture to the ground meat.

4. Mix together with your hands until combined, careful not to over mix.

5. Divide mozarella in 2 equal halfs. Cube 1/2 into 12 pieces and set aside.

6. Cut the other half into 12 equal thick slices.

7. Divide the ground meat mixture into 12 portions.

8. Using your hands, form the ground meat mixture into meatballs.

9. Insert a cube of mozzarella in the center of each meatball. Reform the meatball around the cheese, making sure the cheese is completely hidden. Continue this step until all 12 meatballs are formed.

10. Heat a large heavy bottom skillet pan over medium heat and add olive oil.

11. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs and sauté for 2-3 minutes, turning to brown the sides.

12. Once the meatballs are browned, remove them from the oil.

13. Add the garlic to the oil and cook for 1 minutes.

14. Add the tomatoes, basil, honey, chili flakes and salt. Stir to combine.

15. Transfer the meatballs into the sauce and cover skillet with a lid.

16. Let simmer for 15 minutes, until cooked through.

17. Top the meatballs with the slices of the remaining mozzarella.

18. Cover skillet with the lid and allow the mozerealla to melt.

19. Cut the dinner rolls in half and place 1 meatball with sauce on the roll to make a slider.

20. Serve warm and enjoy.