Baked Cheese-Stuffed Meatball Sliders with Marinara Dip

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-06-19

Mini meatballs stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection, and served with a vibrant homemade marinara sauce for dipping. This italian-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 50 minutes blends ground beef, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 sticks, cut into 1-inch pieces mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 8 small buns, split slider buns

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; mix well until evenly combined.
2. Step 2: Divide the meat mixture into 8 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a patty and place a 1-inch piece of mozzarella cheese stick in the center. Fold the meat around the cheese, sealing completely, and shape into meatballs.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned but not cooked through. Transfer meatballs to the prepared baking sheet.
4. Step 4: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1 tsp sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly and is fragrant.
5. Step 5: Bake the meatballs in the oven for 15 minutes until fully cooked and cheese inside is melted.
6. Step 6: To assemble sliders, spoon a tablespoon of marinara sauce onto each bottom slider bun, place a warm cheese-stuffed meatball on top, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Cover with slider tops and serve immediately.