These smoked meatball sliders on Hawaiian rolls are the perfect way to feed a family or small crowd. The combination of meatballs, marinara, and cheese make these sliders perfect for any weeknight meal!
Ingredients for Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make these meatball sub sliders:
- Ground beef
- Ground pork
- Bread crumbs – you can crush up croutons to make these as well
- Egg
- Seasonings – salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, minced onion, Italian seasoning
- Hawaiian rolls
- Marinara
- Provolone cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Melted butter
Can I Use Frozen Meatballs for Sliders?
While this recipe calls for homemade meatballs smoked on the grill, you can easily use frozen meatballs purchased from the store instead. This will save you time, but won’t give you the freshness of the meat or the infused smoky flavor.
Making the Meatballs
If you choose homemade meatballs, here’s what you do. In a large mixing bowl, put in a pound of ground beef and a pound of ground pork. Next, put in one egg and a cup of dried bread crumbs. Note that if you don’t have bread crumbs on hand, you can crush up croutons for this recipe.
Finally, put in the seasonings of 1 teaspoon of salt and Italian seasoning, as well as 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and dehydrated minced onion. Mix all of the ingredients together by hand until well absorbed.
Take a 1/4 cup size amount of the meat mix and shape into round meatballs. Place on either a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a cooling rack. This recipe should make 24 of them. While the meatball sliders recipe calls for 12, you can either half this recipe or get another pack of rolls.
How Long to Cook the Meatballs
In a grill preheated to 275 degrees over indirect heat, cook meatballs for one hour or until their internal temp reaches 165 degrees. I like to use my trustworthy Thermapen ONE from Thermoworks to make sure I get the quickest, most accurate readings.
Once these are done cooking, remove from the grill and place meatballs in a large mixing bowl with marinara sauce. Adjust the temperature of the grill to 350 degrees. This is in preparation for cooking the meatball sub sliders.
Assembling the Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders
To make the Hawaiian roll meatball sliders, slice a 12-pack of King’s Hawaiian rolls in half, separating the top from the bottom. Place the bottom portion on a greased baking sheet or foil pan. This is common practice on all of my slider recipes, including these s’mores sliders you can make for dessert!
Spread marinara sauce on the bottom portion of the rolls by using a large spoon to spread evenly. Place a saucy meatball on top of each roll, using 12 meatballs in total. Top meatballs with slices of provolone cheese. Six slices will cover the tops of the meatballs well, but you can use more for extra cheesiness.
Next, place top portion of Hawaiian rolls on to complete the sandwich. Brush melted butter on top of rolls and sprinkle on Italian seasoning.
How Long to Cook Sliders at 350 Degrees
Place rolls in grill at 350 degrees over indirect heat for 15 minutes. You’ll notice the provolone cheese melting on the sides and the tops of the rolls have a toasted texture. Remove from the grill, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, and serve!
Want Your Smoked Meatball Sliders Extra Saucy?
Dip you sliders in a bowl of marinara to get that extra saucy flavor! It is suggested to warm the marinara if pulling from the refrigerator.
Other Sliders to Try
Meatball Sliders Recipe!
Smoked Meatball Sliders
These hearty Hawaiian roll meatball sliders are perfect for feeding a family or a small crowd! Can be made on the grill or in the oven.
Ingredients
For Meatballs
- 1/2 lbs. ground beef
- 1/2 lbs. ground pork
- 1/2 Cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp minced onion (dehydrated)
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
For Sliders
- 12 meatballs
- 3 Cups marinara
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- 12-pack Hawaiian rolls
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
For meatballs
- Preheat grill to 275 degrees over indirect heat with hickory wood.
- Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix well by hand.
- Take 1/4 cup of meat mixture and form 12 round balls. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Let bake for an hour or until internal temp of meatballs reaches 165 degrees. Remove and place in bowl of marinara.
For Sliders
- Preheat grill to 350 degrees over indirect heat.
- Cut 12-pack of Hawaiian rolls in half and place bottom portion on a greased baking sheet or foil pan.
- Spread marinara sauce on bottom half of rolls with a spoon. Place meatballs on top of each roll, then cover with provolone cheese slices until all meatballs are covered.
- Place top half of rolls on and brush with melted butter. Top with Italian seasoning.
- Place on grill for 15 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and serve.
Notes
- This recipe can be made in the oven instead of the grill.
- Have a bowl of marinara for dipping meatball sliders to make them extra saucy.
- Can substitute frozen meatballs for fresh. Make sure to follow directions for frozen meatballs to cook them first before using with the slider recipe.
- Use a digital thermometer, such as the Thermapen ONE, for quick and accurate temps.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 sliderAmount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 405mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 14g
NOTE: Nutrition information isn't always accurate.
