Description
These Mini Spaghetti Sandwiches are a delightful twist on classic spaghetti night, featuring bite-sized sliders made with sweet Hawaiian rolls, savory spaghetti with ground beef and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and finished with a flavorful garlic butter topping. Perfect for kids and family gatherings, these sandwiches are both fun to eat and packed with comforting flavors.
Ingredients
For the Spaghetti:
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 3/4 cups spaghetti sauce, plus more for dipping
For Assembly:
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 6 slices mozzarella cheese
For the Topping:
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for one minute less than the package directions indicate to keep the pasta slightly firm. Drain the spaghetti well once cooked.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat as you go, until the beef is browned and the onions are tender. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Pour the spaghetti sauce into the skillet with the meat mixture and stir well to combine. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet, mixing thoroughly to coat all noodles with the sauce. Use a sharp spatula or meat chopper to break the noodles into bite-sized pieces for easier sandwich assembly.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled sliders.
- Assemble the Sliders: Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally and arrange the bottom halves in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spoon the saucy spaghetti evenly over the bottom rolls. Sprinkle the shredded Parmesan over the spaghetti, then layer the mozzarella slices so that they cover all sandwiches completely. Top each slider with the other half of the roll.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Topping: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt until well blended.
- Apply Topping and Bake: Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the tops of the sandwich rolls. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the tops are golden and cheese is melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven and sprinkle chopped parsley over the tops for a fresh finish. Serve warm, with extra spaghetti sauce on the side if desired.
Notes
- Cooking spaghetti one minute less than package directions helps maintain a firmer texture that holds up well in the sandwiches.
- Breaking the noodles into smaller pieces makes the sandwiches easier to eat.
- Use sweet Hawaiian rolls to add a delicious contrast to the savory spaghetti filling.
- Adding extra spaghetti sauce on the side is great for dipping the sliders.
- These sandwiches can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat or extra vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
