Meatball Sliders for Super Bowl!

Here it is, almost Super Bowl Sunday! If you are one of the many people planning a party for the big day, I have a fantastic Meatball Slider recipe for you to serve during the Super Bowl or any time for that matter. This is a really easy recipe where the meatballs are baked and then cooked for a short time in the quick tomato sauce, topped with cheese and then the buns. I have adapted my mother's meatball recipe for these yummy sliders and made an easy Italian flavored sauce for them. My husband loves these Meatball Sliders, so I hope you will too! Here's my recipe.

Meatball Sliders
From Lynda's Recipe Box
(If you want to add some spicy heat to the sauce just add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the oil at the same time as the minced garlic when making the sauce.)

Meatball Ingredients:
1 pound beef ground chuck
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup milk 1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
black pepper
either shredded or sliced Provolone or Mozzarella cheese. If using slices you will need 6 slices to have cheese on top and bottom. Cut the sliced cheese in 4 square pieces.
1 dozen slider rolls, or dinner rolls if you can't find sliders

Directions for Meatballs:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, Parmesan and minced garlic; toss it lightly with a fork to incorporate. Add the remaining ingredients and mix fairly well, either with a fork or your hands. I use my hands, I confess. It's just easier.
Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray liberally with cooking spray. Divide the meat mixture into 12 even pieces and roll each into a ball and place on baking sheet. Place pan in oven and bake meatballs for 25 minutes. When done remove meatballs from pan and add to the sauce.

Quick Italian Style Sauce Ingredients:
1 - 28 ounce can of good quality crushed tomatoes
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried pepper flakes, optional, only if you want some heat
salt and pepper to taste

In a large sauce pan or Dutch oven, over medium heat, add the olive oil, then the minced garlic and pepper flakes, if using. Saute for 30 seconds; then add the tomatoes and dried basil. Cover and cook on low heat for 15 minutes or so. If sauce gets too thick you can add a little water to thin it. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. I sometimes add about 1 teaspoon of sugar if sauce needs it. Some canned tomatoes can have a sharp taste and the sugar helps.
Add meatballs when they are done, cover and cook another 10-20 minutes.
I like the sauce to be thick so it will stick to the meatballs some.

To assemble sliders:
If you want to toast the rolls, just open the rolls and lay on a baking sheet, put under the broiler for a short time. Stay by your stove as they toast really quick! Remove from oven.
Add cheese to the bottom of the buns; place 1 meatball on each bottom bun. Top with more cheese and the tops of the buns. Place on serving tray and enjoy!