Mini Cheesy Turkey Meatball Sliders

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy turkey meatballs baked to perfection, topped with melted cheese and nestled inside soft slider buns, ideal for kid-friendly parties or lunches. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 38 minutes pairs ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 23 min Serves 8 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground turkey, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup milk, 1 large egg, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 16 small meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  3. Step 3: Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
  4. Step 4: Remove meatballs from oven and top each with about 1 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese. Return to oven for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
  5. Step 5: Lightly toast 8 slider buns by brushing 1 tbsp olive oil on cut sides and placing them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden.
  6. Step 6: Assemble sliders by placing two cheesy meatballs inside each bun. Serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mini Cheesy Turkey Meatball Sliders take to make?

Total time is about 38 minutes (15 min prep + 23 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mini Cheesy Turkey Meatball Sliders?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground turkey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mini Cheesy Turkey Meatball Sliders?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mini Cheesy Turkey Meatball Sliders for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Mini Cheesy Turkey Meatball Sliders?

American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes