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Easy Mini Turkey Meatball Sub Sliders for Lunchboxes

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These easy mini turkey meatball sub sliders are a kid-approved, parent-friendly lunchbox solution. Made with lean ground turkey, marinara, and melted provolone on soft slider buns, they’re perfect for meal prep and reheat beautifully.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1/2 cup (60g) plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup (240ml) marinara sauce
  • 12 slider buns (e.g., Hawaiian rolls)
  • 6 slices provolone cheese, halved
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined.
  3. Roll mixture into 1-inch (2.5 cm) meatballs (about 24). Place on prepared baking sheet.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs on all sides, about 4-5 minutes total.
  5. Transfer browned meatballs to baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Slice slider buns in half horizontally, keeping them connected. Place bottom halves in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  7. Spread 1/2 cup marinara over bottom buns. Place meatballs on top (about 2 per slider). Spoon remaining 1/2 cup marinara over meatballs.
  8. Lay halved provolone slices over meatballs. Place top buns over cheese.
  9. Brush melted butter over bun tops (optional: add garlic powder or dried parsley to butter).
  10. Cover dish loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5-7 minutes more, until cheese is melted and tops are golden.
  11. Let sliders rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Don’t overwork the meatball mixture to keep them tender. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure turkey reaches 165°F. Let sliders rest after baking to set the cheese. Meatballs can be frozen uncooked for quick assembly later.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey meatball sliders, mini meatball subs, lunchbox recipes, meal prep, kid-friendly, easy dinner

Find it online: https://evabake.com/easy-mini-turkey-meatball-sub-sliders-for-lunchboxes/