Meatball Sliders

Forget about meatballs and spaghetti, have these instead! 

So I love meatballs, I really, really do. They are my comfort food. They're reasonably easy to prepare, they're moist and flavorful, and they freeze incredibly well.

I normally have pasta and meatballs or the occasional meatball sub, but this time I flattened out the meatballs into slider patties and cooked them on a grill pan. I also topped them with sauce, cheese, and super fresh basil. Super Yum.

Ingredients for 6 sliders

• 1/2 pound Italian sausage
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Olive

Toppings

• 6 rolls
• 3 slices of provolone cheese
• 6 large fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup of marinara sauce

In a large saucepan (with a lid), add olive oil on medium-high heat. Add garlic and onions. Sauté until fragrant and transfer to a mixing bowl.

In a mixing bowl with the cooked garlic and onions, add the ground meat, grated cheese, breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon thyme, egg, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Form into patties and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

Heat a grill pan on medium-high heat. Add olive oil and sear the patties, about 4 minutes on each side. 

During the last minute, spoon marinara sauce over each pattie and top with provolone cheese. Cover with a lid, not necessarily a lid that fits, and allow cheese to melt for a minute.

Transfer to a roll and top with basil leaves and serve immediately.