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Ready for a new smoked meatball recipe that’s perfect for family dinners or game day? This pull apart meatball sliders recipe is simple to make and full of cheesy, saucy goodness.

pull apart sliders feature

These meatball sliders come together quickly with frozen meatballs, marinara, and melty mozzarella. Whether you make them on the smoker for that extra flavor or in the oven for convenience, these frozen meatball sliders will be a hit every single time.

What I Love About This Meatball Sliders Recipe

  • Great weeknight meal or game day snack
  • Perfect for parties and holidays 
  • Family-friendly
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Budget friendly
meatball sliders vertical

I love frozen meatball recipes for quick weeknight dinners or for watching the games on Sundays. I decided to fire up the smoker one day and made these and we loved them (even the kids). You can definitely make them in the oven, too! Have friends coming over? Just make a double batch.

Ingredients Needed for Pull Apart Meatball Sliders

meatball slider ingredients
🍔Italian Style Frozen Meatballs – I used store-bought frozen meatballs, but homemade ones would also work if you have them on hand.

🍔Marinara Sauce – Any favorite jarred or homemade marinara sauce will do.

🍔Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – I used mozzarella for the perfect melty topping.

🍔Dinner Rolls – A 9–12 count pack of soft dinner rolls works perfectly. Hawaiian rolls are a great option if you like a touch of sweetness.

🍔Melted Butter – Brushed over the rolls to give them a golden, buttery finish.

🍔Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is great, but garlic powder works if that’s what you have.

🍔Italian Seasoning – Just a dash adds extra flavor to the rolls and ties the whole recipe together.

How to Make Pull Apart Smoked Meatball Sliders

Step 1: Prep the Pan. Spray a baking dish or aluminum pan with cooking spray. Arrange the dinner rolls in the pan and carve out a small section in the center of each roll to make room for the meatballs.

Step 2: Season the Rolls. In a small dish, mix the melted butter with garlic and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture over the tops of the rolls and inside the holes.

Step 3: Assemble the Sliders. Place one frozen meatball into each roll. Spoon marinara sauce over the meatballs and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

how to make meatball sliders

Step 4: Cook Smoker Method: Transfer the pan to the smoker and cook at 225°F for 50–60 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the meatballs are heated through.

Oven Method: Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

meatball sliders in smoker

Step 5: Serve. Pull apart the sliders and enjoy warm.

smoked meatball sliders vertical

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smoked meatball sliders vertical

Pull Apart Smoked Meatball Sliders (or oven)

These Smoked Meatball sliders are a fun appetizer to make on your pellet grill or smoker.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course: Appetizer, Snack

Ingredients
  

  • 9-12 Italian Style Frozen Meatballs
  • 9-12 Count Package of Dinner rolls
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • garlic powder to taste
  • dash of Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 cup Marinara Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese or Italian Blend

Method
 

Smoker Instructions:
  1. Spray a baking dish or aluminum pan with cooking spray.
  2. Lay out the dinner rolls and carve or remove the center of the dinner rolls big enough to fit the meatball.
  3. In a small dish, melt the butter and add in some garlic powder and the Italian seasoning.
  4. Brush over the dinner rolls and inside the holes.
  5. Place a meatball into each hole.
  6. Spoon marinara sauce over each meatball and top with cheese.
  7. Transfer to the smoker and smoke at 225 for about 50-60 minutes until cheese is melted and meatballs are hot throughout.
  8. Pull apart and enjoy warm.
Oven Instructions:
  1. Follow the above instructions and bake for about 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Notes

Use as many meatballs to dinner rolls count you have.