Meatball Sliders

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Ground Beef (80% lean or leaner)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 cup Ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  
• Mozzarella cheese (fresh or shredded)
• Fresh basil leaves
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Slider buns
  

Panade:

• 4 slices Italian bread, crust removed, cubed
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 3 medium yellow onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper, as desired
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 3 (16 ounce each) cans crushed tomatoes
• 4 sprigs fresh oregano
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves

Garlic Butter:

• 1 pound butter
• 1/2 cup chopped garlic
• Salt and pepper, as desired
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 1 cup chopped parsley

Cooking

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Spray sheet pan with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In large bowl, combine bread, cream, eggs, salt and pepper until mixture resembles a 'paste'.
3. Place Ground Beef in second bowl; add Parmesan and Ricotta cheeses, parsley, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and red chili flakes.
4. Add bread mixture to beef; mix lightly but thoroughly (do not overmix). Shape meatballs into 2-inch meatballs and place on prepared sheet pan.
5. Bake in oven 7 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and meatballs reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
6. Meanwhile, heat large saucepan over medium heat. Add olive oil and garlic. Add onion, salt, pepper and chili flakes. Stir in crushed tomatoes.
7. Reduce heat to low; add meatballs and juices, oregano and bay leaves. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer at least 1 hour. Stir in fresh basil before serving.
8. To prepare garlic butter, melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Add garlic, salt, pepper and chili flakes; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add parsley.
9. Brush buns with garlic butter; toast.
10. Divide meatballs and sauce evenly among buns; sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake until golden brown and cheese melts.
11. Top with basil and Parmesan.
12. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Nutrition information per serving, 8 servings: 1012 Calories; 65.0 g Total Fat (28.5 g Saturated Fat; 1.7 g Trans Fat; 4.5 g Polyunsaturated Fat; 25.1 g Monounsaturated Fat); 220.0 mg Cholesterol; 2910 mg Sodium; 65.0 g Total Carbohydrate; 4.5 g Dietary Fiber; 23.0 g Total Sugars; 19.0 g Added Sugars; 42.5 g Protein; 492.4 mg Calcium; 9.1 mg Iron; 1155.0 mg Potassium; 1.3 mcg Vitamin D; 0.5 mg Riboflavin; 9.6 mg Niacin; 0.5 mg Vitamin B6; 2.7 mcg Vitamin B12; 419 mg Phosphorus; 6.5 mg Zinc; 33.8 mcg Selenium; 125.2 mg Choline