Description
These Pizza Sliders are a deliciously easy twist on classic pizza, featuring a savory Italian sausage filling, melted mozzarella, and a crispy Parmesan-topped bun. Perfect for parties or a fun family dinner, they bake quickly in the oven, combining flavorful marinara sauce and herbs with gooey cheese in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Bread and Cheese
- 12 slider buns
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Oils and Garnish
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat to prepare for cooking the sausage.
- Cook Sausage: Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare Buns: Slice the slider buns in half horizontally and place the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
- Brush Buns: Brush the insides of the slider buns (both bottom halves) with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil for added moisture and flavor.
- Assemble Base Layer: Spread the sausage and marinara mixture evenly over the bottom halves of the slider buns to form the pizza base.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the sausage mixture for rich, melty goodness.
- Top the Buns: Place the top halves of the slider buns over the cheese layer, creating sandwich sliders.
- Brush Tops: Lightly brush the tops of the slider buns with any remaining olive oil to help the Parmesan cheese stick and get a golden finish.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the tops of the slider buns for a crispy, flavorful crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, allowing flavors to meld and cheese to start melting.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the Parmesan is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the sliders for a fresh pop of color and flavor before serving.
- Serve: Cut into individual sliders and enjoy these delicious pizza sliders warm, perfect for snacking or casual meals.
Notes
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage according to your preference for heat level.
- For extra flavor, consider adding sliced pepperoni or diced bell peppers to the sausage mixture.
- If slider buns are not available, small dinner rolls can be substituted.
- Make sure not to overcook the sausage to keep it juicy and tender.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
