Mini Meatball Heroes by Giada

Elevate your next gathering with Giada's irresistible Mini Meatball Heroes—a crowd-pleasing recipe packed with classic Italian flavors and an undeniable charm. These bite-sized sandwiches feature tender, homemade meatballs made with ground beef, Parmesan, and garlic, simmered to perfection in a rich marinara sauce. Nestled on toasted mini rolls and crowned with gooey melted mozzarella, they strike the perfect balance of comforting and indulgent. Ready in under an hour, these mini heroes are ideal for game-day spreads, casual dinners, or anytime snack cravings. Garnished with fresh basil, they’re as visually appealing as they are delicious. Whether you're hosting a party or indulging in a cozy dinner, these sliders are guaranteed to shine!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 cups Marinara sauce
• 6 Mini hero rolls or slider buns
• 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 6 leaves Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well using your hands or a spatula until evenly combined.

Step 3

Form the meat mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should end up with around 20-24 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook them for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned all over. Remove the browned meatballs and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, pour in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the browned meatballs back into the skillet, making sure they are fully submerged in the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.

Step 6

While the meatballs are simmering, slice the mini hero rolls or slider buns in half and place them on a baking sheet. Toast them in the preheated oven for 5 minutes or until lightly golden.

Step 7

Once the meatballs are cooked, place 3-4 meatballs onto the bottom half of each toasted roll. Spoon a little extra marinara sauce over the meatballs.

Step 8

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the meatballs. Place the assembled heroes back onto the baking sheet and return to the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 9

Remove the heroes from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and cover with the top half of the rolls.

Step 10

Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your Mini Meatball Heroes!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1766.4 grams (1766.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3234

Total Fat 194.00g	249%
Saturated Fat 72.50g	363%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.40g
Cholesterol 666mg	222%
Sodium 7074mg	308%
Total Carbohydrate 205.70g	75%
Dietary Fiber 14.20g	51%
Total Sugars 39.30g
Protein 174.00g	348%

Vitamin D 80IU	399%
Calcium 1716mg	132%
Iron 26mg	143%
Potassium 1712mg	36%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.5%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 25.2%