Pizza Sliders pack all your favorite pizza toppings into soft sweet Hawaiian rolls, layered with pepperoni, sausage, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce. Brushed with garlic butter and baked until golden, they’re the perfect game day snack or party appetizer everyone will love.
Try my Cheesy Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Sliders, Cheeseburger Sliders, Pulled Pork Sliders, and Roast Beef Sliders for more delicious slider recipes.
Easy Pizza Sliders Recipe
When I want an easy pizza night option without the hassle of making dough, these pepperoni pizza sliders are my go-to. They come together in just 30 minutes, and every bite is packed with melty cheese, savory toppings, and soft, buttery rolls.
But what really takes them over the top? A generous brush of garlic butter before baking, creating the perfect golden crust. Whether you need a fun Super Bowl snack or a quick dinner idea, this simple, delicious recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again!
Ingredients
- Hawaiian rolls: Soft and slightly sweet, they hold up well to all the toppings without getting soggy.
- Marinara sauce: I use my homemade marinara sauce for the best flavor. You can make a batch and save some for later; it's super versatile!
- Mozzarella cheese: A mix of shredded and sliced mozzarella gives you that perfect melty, stretchy texture.
- Italian sausage: Cooking and crumbling it beforehand adds a hearty, savory bite to every slider.
- Pepperoni: I like to chop it up so you get bits of pepperoni in every bite.
- Canadian bacon: Adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor that balances out the spice from the sausage and pepperoni.
- Butter: Melted and mixed with garlic and herbs for brushing over the rolls before baking.
- Italian seasoning & garlic powder: These add extra flavor to the garlic butter and make the tops golden and fragrant.
How to Make Pizza Sliders
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Prep and Cook the Sausage
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles as it browns. Once fully cooked, drain any excess grease and set the sausage aside.
Assemble the Sliders
Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the Hawaiian rolls in half lengthwise. Spread ¾ cup of marinara sauce over the bottom half, making sure to cover the rolls evenly.
Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Then evenly distribute the cooked sausage, chopped Canadian bacon, and pepperoni on top.
Drizzle the remaining ¼ cup of marinara sauce over the meat, then layer the sliced mozzarella cheese on top.
Add the Top and Garlic Butter
Place the top half of the rolls back over the sliders. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and mix in the Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Brush this flavorful garlic butter mixture over the rolls, ensuring every inch is coated for maximum flavor.
Bake Until Golden and Melty
Cover the sliders with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. These Hawaiian roll pizza sliders are best enjoyed warm, with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping!
Pro Tips
- Use a serrated knife to slice the rolls evenly. A serrated knife helps cut through the soft Hawaiian rolls without squishing them, keeping both halves intact.
- Cook the sausage ahead of time for easy assembly. Browning the sausage in advance saves time and ensures it's fully cooked before baking the sliders.
- Chop the pepperoni and Canadian bacon into small pieces. This helps distribute the flavors more evenly so every bite is packed with toppings.
- Brush the garlic butter generously over the rolls. This adds flavor and helps the tops bake up golden brown with a slightly crisp texture.
- Cover with foil to prevent over-browning. Keeping the sliders covered for most of the bake time ensures the cheese melts perfectly without the tops getting too dark.
- Let them cool slightly before serving. The cheese will be extremely hot right out of the oven, so waiting a few minutes makes them easier to handle and eat.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat your pizza sliders, wrap them in foil and place them in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 10 minutes (5 minutes in an air fryer).
Recipe Variations
- Meat Options: Swap the Italian sausage for crumbled bacon, ground beef, or shredded rotisserie chicken for a different take
- Sauce Variations: Try Alfredo sauce for a white pizza version or pesto for a fresh, herby twist.
- Cheese: Swap the mozzarella for provolone or add a sprinkle of parmesan for extra flavor.
- More Toppings: Try bell peppers, mushrooms, jalapeños, or black olives for a twist on classic pizza flavors.
FAQ
How do you keep pizza sliders from getting soggy?
Be sure to spread the marinara sauce in an even layer without overloading the rolls. Also, toasting the bottom half slightly before assembling can help create a barrier against moisture.
What goes well with pizza sliders?
These sliders pair well with a simple side salad, garlic knots, or a cup of warm tomato soup for a cozy meal. For a party spread, serve them with a mix of dips like ranch, marinara, or garlic butter, along with chips or a veggie platter. If you want something heartier, pair them with wings or mozzarella sticks for the full game day experience.
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! While Hawaiian rolls add a touch of sweetness, you can use any pull-apart rolls, dinner rolls, or even mini ciabatta buns for a different texture.
More Game Day Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
After you try this recipe for Pizza Sliders, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pack Hawaiian rolls sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 cup Marinara sauce reserve ¼ cup
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ pound Italian sausage cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup Pepperoni roughly chopped
- ½ cup Canadian bacon roughly chopped
- 4 slices Mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried basil
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set it aside.
- Brown your Italian sausage in a skillet until there is no more pink left. Use a wooden spoon or a spatula to break up the sausage as it is cooking so that it turns into small crumbles. Once the meat is browned, drain off any excess grease. Remove the sausage from the heat and set aside.
- Cut your Hawaiian rolls in half lengthwise using a sharp knife, removing the top half from the bottom half. Pour ¾ cup of the marina sauce on the bottom half of the rolls and spread it out evenly using a spoon or a spatula.
- Now add a thick layer of shredded mozzarella cheese all over the top of the marinara sauce. Next, sprinkle the cooked Italian sausage in one even layer, followed by the chopped canadian bacon, then the chopped pepperoni.
- Make sure that you are spreading each ingredient evenly over the rolls so that you get a piece in every single bite!
- Once all of the meats are added to the rolls, drizzle the remaining ¼ cup of marinara sauce that you reserved, over the top of the meat. Now lay the sliced mozzarella cheese right on top of the meat and sauce.
- Now gently lay the top buns back on top of the Hawaiian rolls. Place the butter, Italian seasoning (or basil), and garlic powder in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it on high for 20-30 seconds until the butter is melted.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the top of the rolls. Cover the sliders with aluminum foil and place the sheet pan in the oven to bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the rolls are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!
liz says
Made these for my kids for dinner last night and they loved them! thanks for the dinner idea