My Meatball Sliders with Whipped Ricotta are the perfect lightened up recipe to feed a crowd! Savory, juicy meatballs are tossed in marinara sauce and served up on slider rolls with a dollop of fluffy, whipped ricotta cheese. Serve these tasty meatball sliders at your next party and watch them disappear!

If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing recipe to serve on Super Bowl Sunday, then these Italian meatball sliders are for you! Whether you're a football fan or not, who doesn't love good party food like a hearty meatball sandwich?
Some of my other favorite game day dishes are my Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, Ultimate Rotisserie Chicken Quesadillas, and Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings.
My Meatball Sliders with Whipped Ricotta are the perfect lightened up entertaining recipe. They're a nutritious take on the classic meatball sub, a traditionally indulgent party food that's easy to overeat. I decided to make a healthier version of the dish by making sliders. It's instant portion control!
I also use lean (93%) ground beef in my meatballs. Plus, I bake them in the oven instead of frying them, which shaves off plenty of calories and fat.
These sliders are fun, delicious, and easy to make. It's one of my favorite recipes for the holidays or anytime you're entertaining. They're also perfect for a fun weeknight dinner. The whole family will love them!
I season the meatballs with onions, garlic, and parmesan cheese and toss them with marinara sauce. Then I serve them up on soft Hawaiian rolls with a dollop of creamy, whipped ricotta cheese. They're so good!
So the next time you're looking for a fun and easy recipe to feed a crowd, make these tasty meatball sliders!
Why You'll Love This Dish
- These meatballs sliders are sooooo tasty!
- A simple recipe that's easy to make.
- Lightened up party food- I use lean ground beef and bake the meatballs rather than frying. Plus, sliders are instant portion control!
- Feeds a crowd- this recipe is perfect for entertaining
- Make-ahead- all the components can be made ahead of time and assembled at party time
Whipped Ricotta
Ricotta cheese, when blended in a food processor with a little olive oil, whips up to a light and fluffy, cloud-like consistency. It's delicious as a dip seasoned with some fresh herbs and served with crusty bread.
This deliciously creamy topping is also perfect on top of the savory meatballs. Although traditional meatball subs and sliders use mozzarella or provolone cheese, a dollop of creamy whipped ricotta is my cheese of choice!
Although whipped ricotta seems like something that's really fancy, it's actually quite easy to make. If you've never tried it, you must- it's so good!
Ingredients

Ingredient notes and substitutions (see recipe card below for full ingredient list).
- Ground beef- I use 93% lean ground beef; you can substitute ground turkey to make turkey meatballs
- Onion- Because lean beef doesn't have as much fat as traditional ground beef, I have a trick to keep the meatballs moist. I add grated onion to the meat- it adds moisture and flavor.
- Garlic- can substitute garlic powder
- Breadcrumbs- I use dried Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- Ricotta cheese- instead of traditional mozzarella or provolone cheese, I top my meatball sliders with fluffy, whipped ricotta cheese; use whole milk ricotta so that it whips up nicely.
- Slider rolls- I like to use King's Hawaiian sweet rolls or savory butter rolls for these sliders. You can use any slider roll, including potato buns or your favorite dinner rolls.
How To Make Meatball Sliders Step-By-Step

See recipe card below for full recipe details.
- Step 1- Whip the ricotta, olive oil and salt in a mini food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
- Step 2- Mix the ground beef, egg, onion, garlic, milk, parsley, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl.
- Step 3- Form the mixture into 12 meatballs and place them on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. You can line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up if you like.
- Step 4- Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes until cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F as checked with a meat thermometer. Toss meatballs with your favorite sauce (I use Rao's marinara sauce). Then, to assemble the sliders, place meatballs on the bottom buns and spoon a little marinara sauce on top. Top each meatballs with a dollop of whipped ricotta and add the top buns. Devour!

Chef's Tips:
- Use whole milk ricotta for this dish so that it whips up to a nice fluffy consistency. You can use reduced fat ricotta but it won't be as creamy.
- I like to make my own homemade meatballs for these sliders but you can absolutely use store-bought frozen meatballs if you're short on time.
- I like to use a box grater or microplane zester/grater to grate onion into the meatball mix. It keeps the meat moist and adds flavor. Plus, you won’t have chunks of onion in the meatballs. If you don’t have a grater, you can chop the onion finely or substitute ½ teaspoon onion powder.
- You can make air fryer meatballs instead of baking them in the oven. Cook the meatballs in a preheated air fryer at 360F for 10-12 minutes until cooked through.

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Recipe
Meatball Sliders with Whipped Ricotta
Equipment
Ingredients
Whipped Ricotta:
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Meatballs:
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- ½ small onion, grated or finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
- ¼ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Other:
- 1 cup jarred marinara sauce (I like Rao's marinara sauce)
- 12 soft slider rolls (preferably whole wheat), toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- To make the whipped ricotta, blend the ricotta cheese, olive oil, and a pinch of salt together in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
- To make the meatballs, mix the ground beef, egg, onion, garlic, milk, parsley, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Form the mixture into 12 meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F, about 18-20 minutes.
- Heat the marinara sauce in a large bowl in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove until warmed through. Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and stir to combine.
- To assemble the sliders, place a meatball on each roll bottom and spoon a little marinara sauce on top. Top each meatball with a dollop of whipped ricotta and add the roll tops. Devour!
Notes
- Use whole milk ricotta for this dish so that it whips up to a nice fluffy consistency. You can use reduced fat ricotta but it won't be as creamy.
- I like to make my own homemade meatballs for these sliders but you can absolutely use store-bought frozen meatballs if you're short on time.
- I like to use a box grater or microplane zester/grater to grate onion into the meatball mix. It keeps the meat moist and adds flavor. Plus, you won’t have chunks of onion in the meatballs. If you don’t have a grater, you can chop the onion finely or substitute ½ teaspoon onion powder.
- You can make air fryer meatballs instead of baking them in the oven. Cook the meatballs in a preheated air fryer at 360F for 10-12 minutes until cooked through.
Lauren Sharifi, RD LDN says
Yum! Love this idea, I think I will have to make this soon 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Lauren! I hope you enjoy it!
Jennifer Lynn-Pullman says
Oh Yum!
sonaliruder says
Thanks!
Serena Ball says
What?? You can whip ricotta? And then make it all warm and melty on a seasoned burger. Hello dinner!
sonaliruder says
Haha, right?! Thanks Serena, enjoy!
Judit + Corina @Glamorous Bite says
We adore little sliders too and your whipped ricotta topping sounds so good!
sonaliruder says
Thanks for stopping by, your comment is much appreciated 🙂
Gwen says
Well I love the whipped ricotta addition, it must have been a tough contest 😉 I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate ricotta into our diets.
sonaliruder says
Thanks Gwen! Despite not winning, I was really happy with my dish and I lost to a great looking recipe.
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
Sonali, these look wonderful! I love the idea of whipped ricotta instead of the typical cheeses used on sliders - so creative!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Marissa! I was really happy with how the ricotta came out.
Jessica Levinson says
These look amazing Sonali! I don't mix meat and dairy, but if I did, this definitely tops the list of recipes I would make!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Jessica!
Ashley C. says
I have to say that even though I love meatballs, the whipped ricotta is what caught my eye! These look amazing and now I want to make them for dinner!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Ashley!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
These sliders look too good to be true! YUM!!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Elizabeth!
Selena says
OMG. I have no words. I can't get over how absolutley stunning these meatball sliders look. Is it possible for meatball sandwiches to look so beautiful?I practically grew up on meatball subs so this recipe really caught my eye! Going to the local italian deli to get a crushed meatball sandwich was the ultimate treat for me as a kid so I REALLY want to make your version! Pinning!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Selena! It sounds like you're a true meatball sub expert so your comment means so much to me!
Katie Serbinski says
WOW! How did these not win?! They'd be a winner in my house for sure! I love the ricotta whipped topping too! Genius... I've been making meatballs like crazy- that's how my toddler likes to eat meat!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Katie! I wish you had been on the judging panel 😉
Deanna - Teaspoon of Spice says
This Italian girl just fainted - where have these been all my life??
sonaliruder says
I'm rushing right over to resuscitate you and I'll bring a tray of these with me 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I LOVE beef, but not as much as I loved Little Italy- I'm yet to have a more delicious chicken parmesan than I did there. These ook delicious and you had me at whipped ricotta!
sonaliruder says
Chicken parm, mmmm! Thanks Arman, the whipped ricotta is so good!
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies says
These sound amazing! Topped with Whipped Ricotta? I must try this!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much! The whipped ricotta is pretty awesome 🙂
unKhanny says
That looks delicious! Beef cuts as lean as chicken thigh. I had no idea! I really like your Recipe Resuscitation series, and definitely have few requests. Starting with butterchicken.
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment! Mmm...butterchicken 🙂
Trish @ Well Worn Fork says
Awesome pictures - these look amazing!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Trish!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
Wow! You had me at whipped ricotta! This sounds so amazing. I will have to check out the virtual butcher!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Kelley! The virtual butcher is a really great resource!
Erin says
So happy I was one of the lucky people who got to try these tasty meatballs! Such a great recipe Sonali!! So happy you joined us for the Entertaining Recipes Challenge!! 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Erin! I really appreciate all of the love and support from you and the Beef crew 🙂
Shashi Charles says
I am not a huge beef eater - no reason other than I am not too fond of the taste of it - but with that Parmesan and garlic in these meatballs and that whipped ricotta on top - oh heavens - I'd be all over these "(cheesy but true)"! 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks Shashi! That's such an awesome endorsement from someone who's not much of a beef fan!
Farrah says
I think I've only actually made something with ricotta in it once! But you had me at meatballs. These look amazing! <3 I can't wait to try making em'!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Farrah! I love ricotta! After you try this out, you should try adding it to pancakes, it's awesome!