Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly tender, juicy meatball nestled between a soft slider bun, dripping with melted mozzarella and rich marinara sauce. These Crock Pot Meatball Sliders are not just a meal—they're a flavor explosion that will transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience! Whether you're hosting a game day party, family gathering, or just craving comfort food, these sliders are guaranteed to be the star of the show.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 12 slider buns
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb of ground beef, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix the ingredients together until well combined, using your hands or a spoon.
- Once the mixture is well combined, shape it into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should have approximately 24 meatballs.
- Lightly grease the bottom of your crock pot with cooking spray or a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the meatballs in the crock pot in a single layer. If necessary, stack them gently to fit all the meatballs inside.
- Pour 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs, ensuring they are well coated. You can stir them gently to help distribute the sauce.
- Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. The meatballs should be cooked through and tender when done.
- After 4 hours, check the meatballs to ensure they are fully cooked. If they are, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the meatballs and cover again. Let the cheese melt for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- While the cheese is melting, prepare the slider buns by cutting them in half. You can toast them lightly if desired for added flavor and texture.
- Once the cheese is melted, carefully remove the meatballs from the crock pot using a slotted spoon, allowing excess sauce to drip off.
- Assemble the sliders by placing 2-3 meatballs on the bottom half of each slider bun. Spoon a little extra marinara sauce over the meatballs if desired, and then top with the other half of the bun.
- Serve the meatball sliders warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh basil if desired. Enjoy your delicious Crock Pot Meatball Sliders!
Tips
- Meat Mixture Magic: When combining ingredients, mix gently to avoid overworking the meat, which can make meatballs tough. Use your hands for the most even distribution.
- Size Matters: Keep meatballs uniform (about 1 inch) to ensure even cooking. Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon for consistent sizing.
- Prevent Sticking: Lightly grease your crock pot or use a liner to make cleanup easier and prevent meatballs from sticking.
- Cheese Melting Hack: For extra-melty cheese, switch your crock pot to "warm" setting when adding mozzarella to prevent overcooking.
- Bread Selection: Choose slider buns that are soft yet sturdy enough to hold the juicy meatballs. Slightly toasting them can add a delightful crunch.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These sliders can be prepared in advance and reheated, making them perfect for meal prep or parties.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 95mg
