Looking for a delicious and satisfying appetizer or party dish? These Mini Meatball Sliders with Tomato and Basil are the perfect option! Made with juicy meatballs, fresh tomatoes, and fragrant basil, these sliders are packed with flavor and oh-so-tasty. Whether you’re planning a casual get-together or hosting a game night with friends, these sliders are sure to be a hit.
What makes these sliders extra special is the homemade meatball mixture. Made with a combination of ground beef, breadcrumbs, aromatic onions, and flavorful herbs and spices, these meatballs are packed with savory goodness. They are then cooked to perfection and placed in a soft slider bun, which adds a nice contrast to the juicy meatballs.
To take these sliders to the next level, a homemade tomato and basil sauce is slathered on top. The sauce adds a burst of freshness and tanginess, complementing the rich flavors of the meatballs perfectly. Additionally, some fresh basil leaves are added for an extra pop of herbaceousness. Serve these sliders warm and watch them disappear in no time!
Ingredients and Tools Needed for Mini Meatball Sliders
Ingredients:
- Ground beef: You will need about a pound of ground beef to make the mini meatballs. Ground beef with a higher fat content, such as 80% lean, will help keep the meatballs moist and flavorful.
- Bread crumbs: About half a cup of bread crumbs are needed to bind the meatballs together and add some texture.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor to the meatballs.
- Egg: Using one egg will help bind the meatball mixture together.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a delicious savory taste to the meatballs.
- Fresh basil: Chopped fresh basil adds a fragrant and herbaceous flavor to the meatballs.
- Salt and pepper: These pantry staples are essential for seasoning the meatballs.
- Slider buns: Miniature sized buns or rolls are perfect for serving the meatballs as sliders.
- Tomato sauce: You will need a jar or homemade tomato sauce to coat the meatballs and add extra flavor.
Tools:
Aside from the ingredients, you will also need a few tools to make the mini meatball sliders:
- Mixing bowl: A large mixing bowl will be useful for combining all the ingredients to make the meatball mixture.
- Baking sheet: A baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil will be needed to bake the meatballs.
- Non-stick skillet or frying pan: This will be used to brown the meatballs before simmering them in the tomato sauce.
- Tongs or spatula: You will need tongs or a spatula to flip the meatballs while browning them.
Having these ingredients and tools ready will make it easier for you to make delicious mini meatball sliders with tomato and basil. Gather everything you need and get ready to enjoy this tasty and satisfying meal!
List of Ingredients
In order to make the Mini Meatball Sliders with Tomato and Basil, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Italian bread crumbs
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Egg
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Tomato sauce
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Slider buns
- Mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil
To make the meatballs, you will need ground beef, Italian bread crumbs, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, an egg, salt, and black pepper. These ingredients will help give the meatballs their flavor and texture. The ground beef serves as the base, while the bread crumbs, garlic, and Parmesan add flavor and help bind the meatballs together. The egg acts as a binder, while the salt and black pepper enhance the overall taste.
For the sauce, you will need tomato sauce, olive oil, onion, and additional salt and black pepper. The tomato sauce provides the base for the sauce, while the onion and garlic add flavor and texture. The olive oil helps sauté the onion and garlic, enhancing their flavor. The salt and black pepper season the sauce to taste.
Finally, you will need slider buns, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil to assemble the sliders. The slider buns serve as the base, while the mozzarella cheese adds a creamy and melty texture. The fresh basil adds a pop of freshness and brightness to the overall flavor profile of the sliders.
Necessary Kitchen Tools
One of the most important tools for making meatball sliders is a mixing bowl. A large mixing bowl allows you to combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings to create the meatball mixture. It’s important to choose a mixing bowl that is large enough to accommodate all of the ingredients and provide enough space for thorough mixing. A sturdy mixing spoon or spatula is also necessary for evenly combining the ingredients.
Another essential tool for making meatball sliders is a baking sheet or tray. This is used to arrange the mini meatballs in a single layer for baking in the oven. A non-stick baking sheet is ideal to prevent the meatballs from sticking and ensure easy removal after cooking. Additionally, a wire cooling rack can be placed on top of the baking sheet to elevate the meatballs and allow excess fat to drip away while cooking.
A sharp chef’s knife or kitchen scissors is also needed to chop the fresh basil leaves and dice the tomatoes for the sliders. A cutting board provides a stable surface for chopping and slicing, while also protecting your countertops. It’s important to have a cutting board that is large enough to comfortably hold the ingredients without overcrowding.
In addition to these tools, other useful items for preparing mini meatball sliders include a measuring cup and spoons for accurately portioning the ingredients, a grater for shredding cheese, and a toaster or toaster oven for toasting the slider buns. Overall, having these essential kitchen tools will make the process of preparing mini meatball sliders with tomato and basil much easier and enjoyable.
