Looking for a simple Italian Sliders recipe? These easy-to-make Italian sliders on Hawaiian rolls come together quickly and easily. Stacked with Italian meats, pesto sauce, cheese and peppers, these mini sandwiches are perfect to serve for your next watch party!
Why pesto makes the best Italian sliders
Instead of mayo or an oily dressing, the herby basil pesto brings acidity, garlic and herb tanginess. It also cuts the sweetness of the Hawaiian rolls and it doubles as the dip you serve alongside. It also really lends to the Italian flavors from the meats and Provolone cheese. I’ve tested other sauces and dressings and the pesto was not only superior in flavor, but also much easier to incorporate.
In this post I’ll show you what you’ll need to make this slider recipe, what tools you’ll need, and what to serve with this delicious, savory snack.
What do I need to make Italian Sliders?
- Hawaiian rolls – Hawaiian sweet rolls are ideal for making sliders. I used a package of 12 rolls. If you’re looking to feed a crowd, you can double this recipe and use a party-pack of 24 rolls.
- Jarred pesto sauce – you can find pesto sauce near the other pasta sauces in the grocery store.
- Capocollo ham – this is a spicy Italian ham. You’ll likely find pre-packaged Capocollo in the deli section of the grocery store. If you cannot find it, feel free to substitute a regular sliced deli ham or prosciutto.
- Pepperoni – I used an uncured pepperoni, but feel free to use any pepperoni that your store offers.
- Sliced Hard Salami – your deli section will typically offer sliced hard salami either pre-packaged or sliced to order at the deli counter.
- Sliced Provolone Cheese – can also be found prepackaged or sliced to order at the deli counter.
- Jarred roasted red peppers – these can be found near the olives and pickles in the grocery store.
- Jarred Mild Banana Pepper rings – these are also labeled as Pepperoncini peppers. I recommend selecting a jar of sliced peppers.
Toppings for this Italian slider recipe:
- Butter – the butter will be melted and brushed on top of the sweet rolls.
- Garlic – feel free to use jarred minced garlic or mince your own garlic cloves.
- Italian herbs – also known as Italian seasoning, its the perfect spice to go on top of the Italian sliders.
- Grated parmesan cheese – a sprinkle of parmesan on top of the Hawaiian sweet rolls is the perfect topping.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!
How do I make Italian sliders on Hawaiian rolls?
Start by slicing a package of Hawaiian sweet rolls horizontally. No need to separate the rolls individually. It is easier to assemble the sliders with a single piece of bottom and top bread.
For a savory sauce, and a layer of jarred pesto sauce to the bottom bread. Spread evenly with a spoon.
For the Italian meats, first add a layer of spicy Capocolla ham, and then a layer of sliced pepperoni. These meats are ideal for an Italian slider recipe. These savory meats pair very well with the sweet bread.
Ingredient Substitutions and Recommendations for this Italian Sliders recipe:
- Spicy Capocollo ham – if you cannot find Capocollo, you can substitute regular deli ham or prosciutto.
- Pesto sauce – pesto is a fantastic savory sauce that compliments these sliders perfectly. However, you could also use a basic olive oil sandwich sauce.
- Cheese – I used a sliced provolone cheese, however, you could also do a thick layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Thanks!
After the pepperoni layer, add a layer of sliced hard salami and a layer of sliced provolone cheese. For some color and flavor add on some roasted red peppers and yellow banana peppers.
Once you’ve added the peppers to the Italian sliders, bake for 8-10 minutes. This will allow the meats and cheese to thoroughly heat through and melt.
Frequently asked questions about making sliders:
Hawaiian sweet rolls are great for making sliders. You could also use a package of dinner rolls, slider rolls, focaccia bread or pretzel rolls.
Bake the bottom portion of the sliders with the meat and cheese for 8-10 minutes to allow the meat and cheese to heat through. After this, add the top portion of the slider rolls, brush with butter and toppings and bake for another 3-4 minutes to toast the top of the bread.
I recommend baking sliders at 375 degrees. This allows the meat and cheese to heat through without drying out the bread.
When kept refrigerated in an airtight container, sliders will keep for up to 5 days. Reheat in a microwave or toaster oven to melt the cheese and heat the meat.
When planning for a party or gathering, plan for 2-3 sliders per person if these are more of an appetizer. If the sliders will be the main dish, plan for 3-4 sliders per person. If you’re planning for several people, grab the 24-pack of the Hawaiian rolls, which is helpful in planning for a large group of people.
What is the best topping for Italian sliders on Hawaiian rolls?
Once the bottom portion of the sliders comes out of the oven, place the reserved top portion of the bread on to the meat and cheese.
Brush the top of the rolls with a combination of butter, garlic and Italian herbs. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Return the sliders back to the oven for the top of the bread to toast for 3-5 minutes. I use this same topping on my Chicken Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls and my BBQ Chicken Sliders recipe.
Once the sliders come out of the oven, slice into individual sandwiches and serve right away while warm. Enjoy with extra pesto sauce for dipping, if desired.
Can you make Italian sliders ahead of time?
Yes, these sliders can definitely be assembled in advance. There are a few different ways you can do this:
- Night before — assemble through the cheese layer, cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to 24 hours, add 5 minutes to the bake, hold the butter topping until just before baking.
- Freezer — assemble unbaked, wrap in foil, freeze up to 2 months, bake from frozen covered at 375°F for 25 minutes then uncovered for 5.
- Transporting — bake and cover with foil. They will keep warm for about 45 minutes; reheat a tray at 300°F for 10 minutes. Keeping the bread covered with foil will help prevent it from drying out or over-browning in the oven.
How to keep your sliders from getting soggy
There are a few options to try when preventing your Hawaiian rolls from becoming soggy:
- First, pat the jarred peppers dry before layering. This will prevent any extra juices from being absorbed into the bread.
- Second, lay the provolone directly over the bread, then add the pesto. The cheese will seal the bread from the wet ingredients.
- Third, bake on a sheet pan rather than in a 9×13 so the steam escapes from the sides of the sandwich and the bottoms crisp instead of steaming. Steam is a primary culprit of creating soggy bread.
How many sliders do I need for a party?
Depending on how many people you are serving for your party will determine how many sliders you’ll need. Another question to ask is, will these sliders be an appetizer or a main dish? Here is a good rule to go by:
- Plan for 2-3 sliders per person when serving as an appetizer. This will accomodate 6 people with a 12-pack of Hawaiian rolls.
- Plan for 3-4 sliders per person when serving as a main dish. I would recommend doubling the recipe and buying the 24-pack of the Hawaiian rolls if you’re serving 6 people.
What can I serve with this Italian sliders recipe?
Italian sliders are great served with additional snacks, dips and appetizers. Sliders are also great paired with salad or a soup. Here are a few Italian-inspired recipes that would go well with these sliders:
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad
- Italian Tortellini Salad
- Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup
- Creamy Tomato & Tortellini Soup
- Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Are you making these sliders for a party or get together? Check out our post on 25 Halloween Buffet Party Foods for some fantastic tips and recipes that are great for just about any holiday or hosting event.
Love sliders? Check out some of our other recipes for sliders:
Need some other party food ideas? Check out these other dips and appetizers:
- Rotel Cheese Dip
- White Queso Dip
- Sheet Pan Steak Nachos
- Crock Pot Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Parmesan Ranch Snack Mix Recipe
- Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip
- Black Bean Corn Salsa
- Pineapple Mango Salsa
- Cowboy Nacho Bites at Real Housemoms
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Video
Italian Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls – Easy Game Day Party Recipe
Equipment
- Sheet Pan These USA stainless steel sheet pans are great for one-pan meals!
- Sauce Brush Ideal for topping sliders with the melted butter, this brush is also great for various other sauces.
- Serrated Bread Knife This serrated bread knife is great for slicing through breads, sandwiches and so much more!
Ingredients
- 1 (12-roll pack) Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- 1/4 cup pesto sauce
- 4 oz. Capocollo ham thinly sliced
- 4 oz. Pepperoni sliced
- 4 oz. Hard salami sliced
- 6 slices Provolone cheese sliced
- 1/4 cup jarred roasted red peppers sliced
- 1/4 cup jarred yellow banana peppers sliced
Slider Toppings:
- 2 Tablespoons butter melted
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced (can use jarred minced garlic)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper. Set aside.
- Remove the Hawaiian rolls from the packaging. Slice the rolls horizontally with a bread knife. (No need to separate the rolls individually. The assembly works much better when there is a single piece of bottom bread and top bread.) Set aside the top portion of the bread.
- Place the bottom portion of the bread onto the lined pan. Spoon on the pesto sauce and spread it evenly over the bread with a spoon. Add on the invididual slices of the Capocollo ham into an even layer over the pesto sauce. Do the same with all of the pepperoni slices. Layer on the slices of salami over the top of the pepperoni. Add on the slices of cheese. Sprinkle the yellow and red peppers in an even layer over the top of the cheese.
- Bake the bottom portion of the bread with the meats, cheese and peppers for 8-10 minutes.
- While the meat and cheese bake, mix together the topping. In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave for approximately 30 seconds. Stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Remove the bottom portion of the sliders from the oven. Place the top portion of the slider rolls over the top of the hot meats and cheese. Brush the tops of the slider rolls with the melted butter mixture using a sauce brush. Sprinkle the tops of the buttered rolls with the Parmesan Cheese.
- Bake the sliders for an additional 3-5 minutes to toast the top of the bread.
- Serve the sliders while still warm. Enjoy with additional pesto sauce for dipping, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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These were really good. I was out of pesto so used the same sauce for the bun tops to brush on the bottom buns. I also used olive oil instead of melted butter so a little healthier. Very easy to make and very tasty.