Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Name: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Total time: 575 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 3 large fresh basil sprigs; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 (28-oz.) cans whole tomatoes, crushed; 5 teaspoons kosher salt, divided; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided; 1 pound ground chuck; 1 pound ground pork; 1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs); 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; 1/4 cup ricotta cheese; 1/4 cup loosely packed chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1 large egg; 1 large egg yolk; 24 slider buns or dinner rolls, split and lightly toasted; 12 (1-oz.) provolone cheese slices, halved; Garnish: fresh basil leaves

3.8

(4)

4 Reviews

This fun dish is two recipes in one: delicious, easy meatballs and a slow-simmered tangy tomato sauce. If you have any extra sauce, toss it with your favorite green vegetable, spoon it over a bowl of creamy grits, or pair it with pork chops or other meats.

By Southern Living Editors

Updated on January 4, 2022

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce — Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Hands On Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

9 hrs 35 mins

Yield:

2 dozen

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3 large fresh basil sprigs
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (28-oz.) cans whole tomatoes, crushed
5 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup loosely packed chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
24 slider buns or dinner rolls, split and lightly toasted
12 (1-oz.) provolone cheese slices, halved
Garnish: fresh basil leaves

Directions

Stir together first 6 ingredients in a 7-qt. slow cooker; stir in 2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours.
Meanwhile, place ground chuck and ground pork in a large bowl. Add next 6 ingredients and remaining 1 Tbsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper; mix gently just until blended. Gently shape mixture into 24 meatballs. (Do not pack.) Place meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet; cover well, and chill until ready to use.
Let meatballs stand at room temperature 20 minutes. Carefully submerge meatballs in tomato mixture in slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 1 hour or until meatballs are done, stirring after 30 minutes.
Preheat broiler with oven rack 7 inches from heat. Arrange bottom halves of 12 buns in a single layer on each of 2 baking sheets. Place 1 meatball on each bun; top with sauce and 1 halved provolone cheese slice. Repeat with remaining buns, meatballs, and cheese.
Broil sliders, 1 baking sheet at a time, 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with top halves of buns.