Cheesecake Factory Meatball Sliders Recipe

These Cheesecake Factory Meatball Sliders Recipe hit all the same notes as the restaurant favorite: saucy, cheesy, and downright addictive. Serve them for dinner, bring them to a potluck, or whip them up for your next game-day spread—you’ll be the MVP of the night.

If you’ve ever been to The Cheesecake Factory, you know their appetizer menu is just as tempting as their famous cheesecakes.

One dish that always steals the spotlight? The Meatball Sliders. Juicy meatballs smothered in marinara sauce, topped with gooey melted cheese, and sandwiched between soft slider buns—it’s basically the ultimate comfort food in miniature form.

The best part? You don’t have to go out (or wait in line for a table) to enjoy them. With this copycat recipe, you can make Cheesecake Factory-style meatball sliders right at home in less than an hour. Perfect for game day, parties, or when you’re craving restaurant food without the bill.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Restaurant-style at home – Save money and still get that Cheesecake Factory flavor.
• Kid and crowd-friendly – Mini sandwiches are always a hit at parties and family dinners.
• Customizable – Switch up the cheese, add fresh basil, or spice up your marinara.
• Easy to make ahead – Meatballs can be prepped in advance and baked when ready to serve.

Cheesecake Factory Meatball Sliders Ingredients

• Ground beef – or half beef, half pork mix
• Breadcrumbs – plain or Italian seasoned for flavor
• Parmesan cheese – finely grated for mixing meatballs
• Egg – helps bind the meatball mixture together
• Garlic – fresh garlic adds rich savory flavor
• Italian seasoning – oregano, basil, thyme blend
• Onion powder – gives subtle onion flavor without chunks
• Salt – balances flavor and seasons meat evenly
• Black pepper – freshly ground for the best taste
• Marinara sauce – extra needed for slow cooking
• Slider buns – Hawaiian rolls or soft potato buns
• Mozzarella cheese – shredded or sliced provolone works
• Butter – for brushing slider bun tops
• Garlic powder – mixed with butter for flavor
• Parsley – adds color and a mild herby taste

How To Make Cheesecake Factory Meatball Sliders Recipe

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently with a spoon or your hands until just combined. Don’t overmix or the meatballs will turn tough.

Step 2: Roll mixture into small meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches each). Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of your Crockpot. Place the meatballs on top in a single layer. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs.

Step 3: Cover with the lid. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until meatballs are fully cooked and tender.

Step 4: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Slice slider buns in half horizontally and place bottoms in a greased baking dish. Spoon some marinara sauce on the buns. Place one meatball on each bun, then top with more sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top of each meatball. Add the top buns back on.

Step 5: Mix melted butter with garlic powder and parsley. Brush over the tops of the buns. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes, then remove foil and bake another 5 minutes until golden and cheesy. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan before serving.

Cheesecake Factory Meatball Sliders Recipe Tips

• Don’t overmix the meatballs – Mix just until combined. Overmixing makes them dense instead of tender.
• Use a meat mix for flavor – Half beef and half pork gives the juiciest, most flavorful sliders (just like the restaurant).
• Make meatballs the same size – Roll them evenly so they cook at the same speed. A cookie scoop works great here.
• Homemade or store-bought marinara works – Use your favorite jarred sauce for convenience, or go homemade for extra depth.
• Toast the buns lightly – If you don’t want soggy bottoms, toast the buns for a few minutes before assembling.
• Cover while baking, then uncover – This trick keeps everything melty and steamy, then lets the tops get golden brown.
• Add fresh herbs at the end – A sprinkle of basil or parsley brightens the flavors right before serving.
• Make ahead friendly – Cook meatballs in advance, refrigerate, and reheat with sauce in the slow cooker or oven when ready.
• Serve as sliders or meatball subs – If you don’t have slider buns, use hoagie rolls and make full-size sandwiches.
• Keep warm for parties – Leave extra meatballs in the Crockpot on “Warm” so guests can build sliders as they eat.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

• Storing: Store leftover meatball sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep them covered tightly to prevent the buns from drying out.
• Freezing: Freeze cooked meatballs (without the buns) in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Add them to fresh slider buns when ready to serve for best texture.
• Reheating: Reheat sliders in the oven at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until warmed through and cheese is melted. For individual portions, you can also microwave for 1–2 minutes.

Cheesecake Factory Meatball Sliders Recipe Faqs

Can I make these sliders with frozen meatballs? Yes! Frozen meatballs work perfectly—just cook them in the marinara in the Crockpot for 4–5 hours on low or bake until heated through.

What cheese works best for these sliders? Mozzarella is classic, but provolone or fontina also melt beautifully and give rich flavor.

Can I make these sliders ahead of time? Absolutely! Prepare the meatballs in advance and refrigerate or freeze. Assemble and bake right before serving for best results.

Can I use turkey or chicken instead of beef? Yes, ground turkey or chicken works for a lighter version, though it may be slightly less juicy than beef or pork blends.

How do I keep the buns from getting soggy? Toast the slider buns lightly before assembling and avoid over-saucing the bottoms. Brushing tops with garlic butter after baking adds flavor without sogginess.

Can I double the recipe for parties? Definitely! Just use a larger Crockpot or bake in batches. You can keep extra meatballs warm on low in the slow cooker.

Can I freeze the assembled sliders? It’s better to freeze just the cooked meatballs. Reheat and assemble with fresh buns when ready to serve to keep the buns soft.

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