APPS & SIDES

Smoky Meatball Sliders with Homemade Tomato Sauce

Prep Time:  1hour 

Cook Time:  1hour 

Resting Time: 15 Min

Total Time:  2hours  15minutes 

Savor the perfect blend of smoky, savory, and cheesy goodness with these Meatball Sliders. Made on the Z Grills 7052B with cherry wood pellets, this recipe pairs juicy meatballs wrapped in bacon, a rich homemade tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Whether for a family dinner or a party snack, these sliders are sure to impress! Savor the perfect blend of smoky, savory, and cheesy goodness with these Meatball Sliders. Made on the Z Grills 7052B with cherry wood pellets, this recipe pairs juicy meatballs wrapped in bacon, a rich homemade tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Whether for a family dinner or a party snack, these sliders are sure to impress!

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

Sauce recipe

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 3-5 Garlic cloves crushed/chopped
  • 2-3 tbsp Finely diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • 2 teaspoon Tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Red wine optional
  • 1 Large can of diced crushed or chopped tomatoes

Meatball recipe

  • 50% pork to 100% ground beef(80/20)
  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1/2 pound Sweet pork from sausage
  • 1/4 Finely chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons Granulated garlic
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • Melted butter
  • Everything bagel seasoning

Equipment

  • 1 Z GRILLS 7052B
  • 1 Z Grills cherry pellets

Instructions

              • Step 1: Make the Sauce: Cook garlic, onions, and seasonings. Add tomatoes and simmer until thickened.
              • Step 2: Prepare Meatballs: Mix ingredients, shape into meatballs, and top with bacon slices.
              • Step 3: Cook Meatballs: Grill meatballs at 375°F until fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
              • Step 4: Assemble Sliders: Layer buns with cheese, meatballs, sauce, and more cheese. Add the top bun, brush with butter, and sprinkle seasoning.
              • Step 5: Finish on the Grill: Cover sliders with foil and grill for 15 minutes to melt the cheese and toast the buns.
              • Step 6: Remove from the grill, rest briefly, and enjoy!

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

Sauce recipe

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 3-5 Garlic cloves crushed/chopped
  • 2-3 tbsp Finely diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • 2 teaspoon Tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Red wine optional
  • 1 Large can of diced crushed or chopped tomatoes

Meatball recipe

  • 50% pork to 100% ground beef(80/20)
  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1/2 pound Sweet pork from sausage
  • 1/4 Finely chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons Granulated garlic
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • Melted butter
  • Everything bagel seasoning

Equipment

  • 1 Z GRILLS 7052B
  • 1 Z Grills cherry pellets