JACK'S MEATBALL SLIDERS

Jack's Meatball Sliders image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 18

4 or 5 cloves garlic, chopped (not too small; larger chunks, about 1/4 inch)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 28 -ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground sausage (preferably spicy pork)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated parmesan, plus more for garnish
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
12 ounces ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Olive oil
33 slider-size potato buns, toasted

Steps:

Make the sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute the garlic and red pepper flakes in the oil 1 minute, stirring. (Do not brown the garlic.) Stir in the tomatoes and salt. Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.Meanwhile, make the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix the beef, sausage, onion, garlic, thyme, parsley, egg, parmesan, breadcrumbs, ricotta and salt with your hands. Form 1 1/2-inch balls out of the meat mixture. Heat a large ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) with a bit of olive oil. Working in batches, addthe meatballs and brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Return all the meatballs to the skillet and place in the oven to finish cooking, 10 minutes.Toss the meatballs with 3 cups of the prepared sauce. Place on the toasted slider buns and sprinkle with parmesan and parsley.Photograph by Jennifer Causey
Recipe adapted from Catelli's by Guy Fieri for Food Network Magazine