Monster Meatball Sliders

Name: Monster Meatball Sliders
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 450 g ground beef 80 to 85 percent lean; 60 g plain breadcrumbs; 1 large egg lightly beaten; 50 g yellow onion very finely grated; 2 cloves garlic minced; 8 g fresh parsley chopped; 5 g fine salt; 1 g black pepper freshly ground; 2 g dried oregano; 30 ml milk; 15 ml neutral oil; 360 g marinara sauce; 8 count slider buns split; 120 g shredded mozzarella; 4 count black olives sliced into small pieces for monster faces

Mini beef meatballs are mixed with breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, and Italian-style seasoning, then baked until browned and cooked through. The meatballs are coated in warm marinara, layered into slider buns with mozzarella, and briefly baked again so the cheese melts and the buns warm. Black olive pieces add a simple monster-face garnish.

By Julienne

Cook time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

450 g ground beef 80 to 85 percent lean
60 g plain breadcrumbs
1 large egg lightly beaten
50 g yellow onion very finely grated
2 cloves garlic minced
8 g fresh parsley chopped
5 g fine salt
1 g black pepper freshly ground
2 g dried oregano
30 ml milk
15 ml neutral oil
360 g marinara sauce
8 count slider buns split
120 g shredded mozzarella
4 count black olives sliced into small pieces for monster faces

Instructions

Heat the oven to 220 C. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Oven is fully preheated and the pan is lined.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, salt, black pepper, oregano, and milk. Mix just until combined; do not overwork. Mixture holds together but still looks slightly loose.
Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a compact meatball. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet and lightly brush or drizzle with the neutral oil. Meatballs are evenly spaced and lightly coated with oil.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the meatballs reach 71 C in the center and are browned on the outside. Meatballs are browned and cooked through.
While the meatballs bake, warm the marinara sauce in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. When the meatballs are done, add them to the sauce and turn gently to coat. Sauce is steaming and meatballs are coated.
Place the slider bun bottoms on the baking sheet. Set 1 meatball onto each bottom half, spoon a little extra sauce over them, then top with the mozzarella and the bun tops. If using olives, press small pieces into the cheese or sauce to make monster eyes. Sliders are assembled and ready to melt.
Bake the assembled sliders for 5 to 7 minutes, just until the buns are warmed and the mozzarella is melted. Serve right away. Cheese is melted and the bun tops are warm without becoming hard.