Description
Italian Sliders are a quick and delicious appetizer or meal option featuring slider buns filled with savory Italian sausage, marinara sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, bell peppers, and black olives. Baked to perfection with a golden, crispy top brushed with olive oil and garnished with fresh basil, these sliders are perfect for last-minute gatherings or family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Sliders
- 12 slider buns
- 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- ½ cup sliced bell peppers
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the sliders evenly and melting the cheese perfectly.
- Prepare the Buns: Slice the slider buns horizontally and place the bottom halves on a baking sheet as the base for the sliders.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned and crumbly; then drain excess grease to avoid soggy sliders.
- Add Marinara: Stir marinara sauce into the cooked sausage and allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors well.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread the sausage and marinara mixture evenly on each bottom slider bun.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the meat, then layer slices of pepperoni, bell peppers, and black olives on top for added flavor and texture.
- Season: Evenly sprinkle Italian seasoning and garlic powder over the toppings to enhance the Italian flavors.
- Top with Buns: Place the top halves of the slider buns onto the loaded bottoms.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Drizzle or brush the tops of the buns with olive oil to promote browning and add richness.
- Bake: Bake the assembled sliders in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish: Remove from the oven and optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves for a fresh, aromatic finish.
- Serve: Slice the sliders apart and serve warm for a crowd-pleasing Italian treat.
Notes
- Drain excess grease from the cooked sausage to avoid soggy sliders.
- You can customize toppings by adding mushrooms or onions if desired.
- For a spicier version, use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes.
- Serve these sliders with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge up to 2 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
