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Nduja Meatball Sliders 29.png

Nduja Meatball Sliders

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🌶️ Nduja Meatball Sliders bring a spicy, flavorful twist with nduja sausage meatballs and tangy arugula pesto.
🍞 This recipe pairs juicy meatballs with sautéed veggies and melted cheese on pull-apart rolls for a fun and satisfying meal or snack.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 sliders

Ingredients

– 1 pound ground pork

– ¼ pound nduja (a spicy, spreadable Italian pork sausage)

– ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs

– ¼ cup grated onion

– ¼ cup chopped parsley

– 1 teaspoon salt

– ½ teaspoon black pepper

– 2 minced garlic cloves

– 1 large egg

– 2 cups marinara sauce

– 2 cups arugula

– ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese

– ¼ cup toasted walnuts

– 2 garlic cloves

– ½ teaspoon salt

– ½ teaspoon black pepper

– ½ cup olive oil

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced

– 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

– 12 dinner rolls

– 6 ounces sliced fontina cheese

– 2 tablespoons melted butter

– ½ teaspoon dried basil

– ½ teaspoon dried oregano

– ½ teaspoon dried parsley

– ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1-Gather and Prep: First, gather all ingredients and prep by mincing garlic, finely chopping onion, and slicing slider buns. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2-Mix and Form Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine 1 pound ground pork, ¼ pound nduja, ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated onion, ¼ cup chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 large egg until fully mixed. Shape the mixture into 12 meatballs and place them in a baking dish.

3-Bake the Meatballs: Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Add 2 cups marinara sauce over the meatballs and bake for an additional 15 minutes; allow to cool.

4-Make the Pesto and Veggies: Prepare the pesto by blending 2 cups arugula, ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ cup toasted walnuts, 2 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ cup olive oil until smooth. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté 1 small red bell pepper and 1 small red onion for 7-8 minutes until softened and browned; let cool.

5-Assemble and Finish: Raise the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Slice 12 dinner rolls in half while keeping them connected, place the bottom halves on a baking sheet, spread 3 tablespoons of the pesto on each, add the sautéed peppers and onion, then top with one meatball per roll and 6 ounces sliced fontina cheese. Cover with the top halves. In a small bowl, mix ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried parsley, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder; brush the tops with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with the herb mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts and serve warm.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍞 Toast bottom halves of rolls if very soft to avoid sogginess.
🍳 Make meatballs ahead and store up to one day before assembly.
🌿 Arugula pesto can be prepared up to five days in advance.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Baking and cooking time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking and sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Contains pork and dairy

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slider