The situation is: I hate meatballs. Or at least I thought I hated meatballs. The very name grosses me out. I do not like how dry they can be. How very meaty they can taste. They sometimes can feel like an obstacle on your plate.

However, my husband loves meatball sandwiches. And I love my husband. I decided to branch out. I decided to have a “ball.” Turns out, I do not hate meatballs. I just never had one I really liked. Until now.

Of course, I still hate the name. But that is for another day. Here is how I made my meatball sliders.:

This recipe makes 8 sliders. This is perfect for my family of four. However, I would double this for any larger crowd.

Meatball Ingredients

1 pound ground pork
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup dried unseasoned bread crumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup diced Onions
2 Tbsp. butter
Pinch chili flakes
2 Tablespoons of Dalmatia My Mom’s Red Pepper Spread (I found mine at Vons in the refrigerated section. I know Amazon also carries it if you absolutely cannot find it, but the shipping price is crazy)
1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
1 clove or 1/2 tsp. of minced garlic (I use the pre-chopped kind)
1/4 tsp. dried italian herbs

Other ingredients:
1 jar pasta sauce
8 oz. mozzarella
8 Small rolls or buns

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Pour pasta sauce into small saucepan. Simmer on low heat, while you move onto the next step.

Sauté onions for eight minutes in butter on medium-low heat until soft. Stirring occasionally. During the last minute, add minced garlic and then turn off burner. Put in mixing bowl. Allow to cool for five minutes.

Mix all of the meatball ingredients in a large bowl with your hands. And, yes, say it with me, “Ewww!” Remember to take off any rings.

Scoop meatballs onto parchment lined baking sheet with ice cream scoop or one of these handy dandy large cookie scoops.

Line ’em up.

Put in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. They should no longer be pink inside.

Set meatballs aside.

Turn oven to broil.

Open rolls. Lightly butter each side. On a separate baking sheet, line them up. Mine took two batches.

Broil for 30 seconds to one minute until lightly toasted.

Remove from oven. Place the tops of the rolls aside.

Turn pasta sauce burner off.

With the other bottom half: Take a meatball. Smoosh it with your tongs. That’s right. Get all up in there. Remember how messy it made your hands and give it heck. Place it on a roll. Cover it with pasta sauce. Cover it with cheese. Repeat.

Place in oven and broil for approximately thirty seconds to one minute until the cheese is melted and just starting to brown. Watch this! It can get burned very quickly!

Remove from oven. Turn oven off. Cover meatball creation with the other half of the bun. Plate it. Now, this is the part where you serve it with salad and feel better about the meal you are about to eat. Except, I had no salad. So, I served it with chips (um, potatoes) and melon slices.

And oh my goodness! These are one of my new favorite things to make! Easy! Delicious! My husband said they were the best meatball sandwich he has ever had. I love when that happens!

Enjoy!