Get ready to take your taste buds on an epic food adventure! These Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders are about to become your new family dinner obsession. Imagine the ultimate comfort food mashup – juicy, flavor-packed meatballs filled with gooey, creamy mac and cheese, all sandwiched between soft, pillowy slider buns. This is the kind of dish that’ll have your guests begging for seconds (and thirds)!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders for Family Dinners
This recipe is the perfect marriage of two beloved comfort foods – meatballs and mac and cheese. The meatballs are bursting with savory, umami-rich flavors, while the creamy, cheesy mac and cheese filling adds an insane level of indulgence. Plus, the bite-sized slider format makes them the ultimate shareable, family-friendly meal. These Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders are guaranteed to be a total crowd-pleaser, and they’re shockingly easy to make at home. Get ready to take your family dinner game to the next level!
Ingredients
You’ll need a handful of simple, everyday ingredients to make these Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders. The meatball mixture includes ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and a blend of savory seasonings. For the mac and cheese filling, you’ll use elbow macaroni, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and a touch of butter. And of course, don’t forget the soft, pillowy slider buns to tie it all together!
- 1 lb ground beef – the base for the meatballs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs – for texture and binding
- 2 eggs – to help the meatballs hold their shape
- 1 tsp garlic powder – adds savory depth
- 1 tsp onion powder – complements the beef flavor
- 1 tsp salt – to season the meatballs
- 1/2 tsp black pepper – for a little kick
- 8 oz elbow macaroni – the classic mac and cheese pasta shape
- 1/2 cup milk – creates the creamy cheese sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese – melty, gooey goodness
- 2 tbsp butter – binds the mac and cheese filling
- 12 slider buns – soft, pillowy vessels for the stuffed meatballs
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheese: Try using a blend of cheddar and mozzarella, or even add some parmesan for an extra cheesy flavor in the mac and cheese filling.
- Protein: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different types of ground meat, like turkey or a meatloaf mix, for the meatballs.
How to Make Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders for Family Dinners
Get ready, because we’re about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise! These Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders are shockingly easy to make – just follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by cooking the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well incorporated.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Grab a small scoop of the meatball mixture and flatten it into a disc in the palm of your hand. Place a heaping spoonful of the cooked mac and cheese in the center, then gently wrap the meatball mixture around it, sealing it up tightly. Repeat this process until you’ve used up all the meatball and mac and cheese fillings.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Arrange the stuffed meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Slice the slider buns in half and place a meatball on the bottom half of each bun.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
For an extra creamy, indulgent twist, drizzle some extra cheese sauce over the top of the meatball sliders before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and freshness. Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today?
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Cheese Up!: Feel free to get creative with the flavor profile of these sliders by using different types of cheese, like pepper jack or gouda, in the mac and cheese filling.
- Twist It Up: You can also mix things up by adding in some cooked bacon, caramelized onions, or even a dash of hot sauce to the mac and cheese filling.
- Lighter Swap: For a lighter twist, you can use ground turkey or chicken in place of the beef for the meatballs.
- Crowd-Pleasing Batch: If you’re serving a crowd, simply double or triple the recipe to make a massive, flavor-packed batch of these Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: A fresh green salad, crispy fries, or a creamy coleslaw for the ultimate family-friendly meal.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. These sliders are best reheated in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the meatball mixture and mac and cheese filling up to 3 days in advance. Just store them separately in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake the sliders.
Nutrition Information
These Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders are the ultimate comfort food mashup, and they’re sure to leave you feeling comfortably full and completely satisfied.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 25 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the meatballs and mac and cheese filling in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatball mixture and mac and cheese filling up to 3 days in advance. Just store them separately in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake the sliders.
Can I freeze the stuffed meatballs?
Yes, you can definitely freeze the unbaked, stuffed meatballs. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when ready to cook.
What’s the best way to reheat the sliders?
For best results, reheat the sliders in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through. You can also reheat individual sliders in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
Can I make these vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply swap out the ground beef for a plant-based meat alternative, and use a dairy-free cheese for the mac and cheese filling.
How do I get the meatballs evenly stuffed?
The key is to use a small cookie scoop or spoon to get a consistent amount of mac and cheese in each meatball. Gently wrap the meatball mixture around the filling to fully encase it.
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Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders for Family Dinners
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 sliders
- Category: Mac & Cheese Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in these Creamy Mac & Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders, perfect for family dinners! Juicy meatballs filled with creamy mac & cheese, served on soft slider buns.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 egg
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mac & Cheese:
– 1 cup elbow macaroni
– 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
– 1/2 cup milk
– 2 tbsp butter
– 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
– 1/2 tsp mustard powder
For Assembly:
– Slider buns
– Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. 2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
3. 3. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux, then gradually add milk, stirring until thickened.
4. 4. Stir in cheese and mustard powder until melted and creamy. Mix in the cooked macaroni and set aside.
5. 5. In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
6. 6. Form meatballs (about 1.5 inches in diameter) and press a small amount of the mac & cheese into the center of each meatball, sealing the meat around it.
7. 7. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
8. 8. Serve on slider buns, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
For extra flavor, add your favorite seasonings to the meatball mixture.
These sliders can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: meatballs, sliders, mac and cheese