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Cheesy Pizza Sliders

Featured in Appetizers & Snacks.

Hawaiian rolls stuffed with gooey mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, and pizza sauce, then smothered in garlic butter. Baked until golden and served with dipping sauce, they’re soft, cheesy, and totally snack-worthy.
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Updated on Thu, 01 May 2025 01:57:47 GMT
Soft rolls with cheesy pizza toppings—perfect for a quick snack or party food. Pin it
Soft rolls with cheesy pizza toppings—perfect for a quick snack or party food. | tasteofmoms.com

When these Pizza Sliders come out of the oven, your kitchen fills with the smell of buttery garlic and melted cheese, giving you all the tastes of pizza joint favorites in neat little handheld bites. The soft, golden Hawaiian rolls wrap around strings of gooey mozzarella, tasty meats, and thick pizza sauce, making an addictive spin on regular pizza that's just right for big gatherings.

I brought these to a sports party last week, and they were gone before anything else on the table. What made them so special? It's all about that buttery garlic mix on top that transforms ordinary rolls into something amazing.

Key Ingredients and Smart Shopping Advice

  • Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: Don't separate them when cutting. Their sweetness works magic with the savory stuff inside.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Take time to shred your own from a block for better melting. The bagged kind has stuff that stops it from melting right.
  • Italian Sausage: Go with spicy or mild based on what you like. If you buy links, squeeze the meat out of the casing.
  • Pizza Sauce: Grab a thick one so your rolls don't get mushy. Either homemade or good store brands will work fine.
Freshly baked mini pizza sliders with golden tops, ready for your next party. Pin it
Freshly baked mini pizza sliders with golden tops, ready for your next party. | tasteofmoms.com

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Getting The Rolls Ready:
Turn your oven to 350°F. Take a long bread knife and slice through the whole block of rolls sideways, keeping them all together. Put the bottom piece in a 9x13 dish lined with parchment paper.
Cooking The Sausage:
Cook the Italian sausage in a pan on medium heat, breaking it up into tiny bits as it browns. Drain it well on paper towels to get rid of extra fat.
Putting It All Together:
Spread some pizza sauce thinly on the bottom rolls. Layer with half your cheese, then add pepperoni and the cooked sausage. Sprinkle the rest of your cheese on top. Put some sauce on the underside of the top rolls before placing them on the stack.
Making The Butter Mix:
Stir together melted butter with grated parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, and a tiny bit of red pepper flakes. Brush this all over the tops of the rolls.

My Nonna always told me, "The key to anything pizza is waiting for the cheese to melt just right."

Smart Oven Tactics

Keep them wrapped in foil at first so the cheese melts perfectly, then take the foil off for the last 5 minutes to get that nice golden color on top. If they're browning too fast, just loosely cover them with foil again.

Prep Them Early

You can put everything together up to 4 hours before your event, except for the garlic butter. Keep them in the fridge, then add the butter right before baking. If they're cold from the fridge, just add a few more minutes to the covered baking time.

Best Way To Serve

After taking them out, wait about 3 minutes before cutting into separate sliders. This lets the cheese firm up a bit so it doesn't all run out when you cut them.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Put any extras in a sealed container and keep them for up to 3 days. Warm them back up in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil until they're hot and the cheese gets melty again.

Final Thoughts: These Pizza Sliders blend ease and indulgence perfectly. After trying many versions in my kitchen, I've learned that success comes from careful layering and watching baking times closely. The way the sweet Hawaiian rolls get that garlic-butter crust while holding classic pizza flavors creates something way beyond just a sandwich - it's a showstopper that brings folks together. Whether you're feeding a party crowd, sports fans, or just your family on a casual night, these sliders show that sometimes the tastiest food comes from putting a fun twist on classics we already enjoy.

Bite-sized pizza sliders with stretchy cheese pulls and colorful toppings inside. Pin it
Bite-sized pizza sliders with stretchy cheese pulls and colorful toppings inside. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these earlier?
Sure! Put them together, then just bake with the butter topping when you’re ready.
→ What can I add for variety?
Throw in olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, or anything you love on pizza.
→ Could I use another roll type?
Absolutely! Any small rolls will do, but Hawaiian ones add a sweet touch.
→ How do I avoid soggy bottoms?
Go easy on the sauce, and make sure the sausage is drained well.
→ Can I freeze leftovers?
While it's doable, they're best when baked fresh and served warm.

Cheesy Pizza Sliders

Soft rolls stuffed with pizza-style toppings and garlic butter. Perfect for party spreads or easy snacking.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Ashley


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 sliders)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Base

01 6 ounces of cooked Italian sausage
02 24 slices of pepperoni
03 12 connected sweet Hawaiian rolls

→ Cheese and Sauce

04 3 tablespoons of Parmesan, freshly grated
05 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, split in half
06 1 cup pizza or marinara sauce, split in half, with extra on the side

→ Garlic Butter Topping

07 1/4 cup of melted salted butter
08 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley
09 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb mix
11 A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and let it heat up. Put foil or parchment paper in a 9x13 pan and spritz with cooking spray. Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it up, and then drain any fat.

Step 02

Grab a serrated knife and slice the connected rolls across the middle into two halves. Lay the bottom half in your prepared dish.

Step 03

Take ½ cup of sauce and spread it on the bottom layer. Pile on 1 cup of mozzarella, the cooked sausage, and those pepperoni slices. Sprinkle the second cup of mozzarella on top.

Step 04

Smear the rest of the pizza sauce on the cut side of the top layer. Place that piece over your cheesy bottom layer to finish building the big sandwich.

Step 05

Combine the buttery mix: stir together the melted butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Brush it over the top and sprinkle on the parsley.

Step 06

Wrap everything nice and tight with foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes so the cheese gets gooey. Take off the foil and let it bake another 5 minutes until the tops are toasty. Slice and dunk in extra sauce if you'd like.

Notes

  1. You can throw in extra toppings like olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, or bits of pineapple.
  2. Keep all the rolls stuck together as you're putting this together—makes it super simple.
  3. Great choice for parties or big sports-watching days.

Tools You'll Need

  • A 9x13-inch pan for baking
  • Something to line the pan, like parchment paper or foil
  • A serrated knife for cutting the connected rolls
  • A skillet for cooking the sausage
  • A brush for spreading butter on the rolls

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Uses dairy products like mozzarella, Parmesan, and butter.
  • Contains gluten from the bread rolls.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 259
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
  • Protein: 11 g