Meatball Parmigiana Sliders

By yollymg

Meatballs coated in marinara sauce, smothered with cheese, and sandwiched in brioche rolls are a party-perfect nibble. For tender meatballs, combine the ingredients gently and don't pack the meat too tightly.

Ingredients

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Details

Servings 24
Adapted from marthastewart.com

Preparation

Step 1

*MEATBALLS*
*2* slices white bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
*1/2* cup whole milk
*8* ounces ground beef (85% lean)
*8* ounces ground pork
*4* ounces ground veal
*1/2* cup (1oz.) grated pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
*3* tablespoons coarsely fresh flat-leaf parsley
*1* garlic clove, minced
*1* large egg
Coarse salt
Marinara Sauce

*MARINARA SAUCE*
Makes 6 cups

*3* tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
*1* medium onion, chopped
*4* garlic cloves, thinly sliced
*2* cans (28 oz. each) peeled whole tomatoes, pureed in a food processor
*1/2* teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
*1/4* cup fresh basil, leaves torn
*1* tablespoon chopped fresh oregano


Directions:
Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add tomatoes, red-pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and some pepper. Simmer, covered, until thick, 25 minutes. Stir in herbs.

*Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months* ~~*~~





*SANDWICHES*
*2* dozen brioche rolls, split
*1 1/2* cups (5oz.) grated mozzarella cheese
*1/2* cup (1oz.) grated pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
Small basil leaves




Directions:
Make the meatballs: Soak bread in milk for 5 minutes. Gently mix bread and milk with meats, pecorino Romano, parsley, garlic, egg, and 1 teaspoon salt. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Roll mixture into twenty-four 1-ounce balls (each about the size of a golf ball).

Heat sauce in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Drop meatballs into sauce, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, partially covered, until meatballs are cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

Make the sandwiches: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Working in batches, arrange rolls, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Place 1 meatball, a spoonful of sauce, 1 tablespoon mozzarella, and 1 teaspoon pecorino Romano on bottom halves. Bake until cheese melts, about 3 minutes. Sandwich with basil.