Description
These Chopped Italian Sliders are a delicious and flavorful twist on the classic slider, featuring juicy beef patties topped with a savory mix of pepperoni, black olives, roasted red peppers, fresh parsley, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for parties, game days, or a hearty snack, they are baked to perfection and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of Italian flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Patties
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Slider Assembly
- 12 small slider buns
- 6 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Italian Topping Mix
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
- 1/4 cup chopped black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the assembled sliders.
- Prepare Beef Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated to season the beef evenly.
- Form Patties: Shape the beef mixture into 12 small patties, slightly larger than the slider buns to account for shrinkage during cooking.
- Cook Patties: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties for about 3 minutes on each side, or until they are fully cooked. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Without turning off the skillet, add olive oil and the minced garlic. Sauté for approximately 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant, enhancing the flavor base for the topping.
- Cook Topping Ingredients: Add chopped pepperoni, black olives, roasted red peppers, and parsley to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is heated through and flavors meld.
- Assemble Sliders – Step 1: On a baking sheet, place the bottom halves of the slider buns. Spoon a generous amount of the pepperoni mixture onto each bun half to create a flavorful base.
- Assemble Sliders – Step 2: Place one cooked beef patty on top of each bun with the pepperoni mixture, then add a scoop of marinara sauce over the patties.
- Add Cheese: Top each slider with half a slice of mozzarella cheese to ensure even cheese coverage once melted.
- Bake Sliders: Place the assembled sliders in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 5 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Finish Assembly: Remove sliders from the oven, then add the top halves of the buns. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over each slider for an aromatic, cheesy finish.
- Serve: Serve the sliders hot, allowing the flavors to shine and the cheese to be at its melty best. Enjoy your delicious Italian sliders!
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the beef patties as they will cook further in the oven.
- You can substitute mozzarella with provolone or fontina cheese for a different flavor.
- Slider buns can be toasted beforehand for extra crunch.
- Feel free to add crushed red pepper flakes to the topping mix for a spicy kick.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.
