Zesty Turkey Meatball Sliders

There is something comforting about a warm, zesty, saucy, cheesy meatball sandwich.  Do not go lightly into this good sandwich because there is no way to eat this and be cute. Eat this BOLDLY!  Expect sauce to drip onto your fingers and you might even get some on your face to match:-) But of course, the mozzarella oozing down the sides will make you want to shove the whole thing in your mouth.  If you are in public, don't do that.

These tiny sandwiches pack a flavorful punch.  Sliders are so perfect for having a small taste of something filling and delicious with half the guilt. And of course if you serve these at your next gathering, I guarantee they will disappear with a quickness. I use a combination of ground turkey and turkey Italian sausage for a healthy twist, but this works beautifully with ground beef too. I think you need these sliders in your life.

I'm Serious. They are that good

    Ingredients

    Miniature french rolls or Hawaiian Rolls 

    Meatballs

    Marinara Sauce

    Mozzarella Cheese

Meatballs

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 pound turkey Italian sausage

1/4 cup Panko crumbs

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1/4 cup finely chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup oil for frying the meatballs (I use canola)

Mozzarella Cheese for topping meatballs

Combine the ground turkey, Italian sausage, panko, eggs, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper.  Roll the mixture into 2-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet or platter, and set aside.

 Heat half the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add half the meatballs, and brown them on all sides.  Put Meatballs aside and prepare sauce

 

Marinara Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion chopped

4 cloves garlic minced

1 28 oz can tomato puree

1 28 oz can tomato sauce

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon oregano

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons water

Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add the onion to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes or until tender.  Add garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute.  Add the tomato puree and tomato sauce, parsley, oregano, salt and sugar.  Add water if you need to thin out the sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a low simmer.  Let sauce simmer for two hours.

After sauce has simmered for two hours, add meatballs to sauce and simmer for 30 minutes.  

Time Saving Tip

You can also use your favorite prepackaged marinara sauce to save time.  For ready made sauce,  heat the sauce until it boils and then reduce heat to a  simmer and add meatballs and simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.

To assemble the sliders

Split rolls horizontally. Place rolls on baking sheet with the inside of the rolls facing up. Broil for a minute or two.  Take spoon and press lightly into the bottom roll and then spoon meatball and sauce onto bottom roll and top with a slice of mozzarella. Put back in oven and broil just until cheese is melted. Place the tops of the rolls on each slider.