Description
Okay, so imagine all the best parts of an Italian sub — the salty meats, melty cheese, tangy peppers, and that unbeatable combo of oil and vinegar — but baked into slider form with buttery, garlicky tops that get all golden and crispy. These bad boys are basically party food royalty. You make a whole pan at once, which means less work and more time to actually enjoy yourself. They’re perfect for game day, potlucks, family gatherings, or honestly just a Tuesday when you want something that feels special but requires minimal effort. Warning: people will hover around the pan like seagulls, so maybe make two batches.
Ingredients
For the Sliders:
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls (the connected kind in a pack)
- 1/4 lb sliced salami
- 1/4 lb sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 lb sliced capicola or ham
- 1/4 lb sliced provolone cheese
- 1/4 lb sliced mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini or banana peppers
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
- Shredded iceberg lettuce (for serving)
- Sliced tomatoes (for serving)
For the Magical Butter Topping:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
For Extra Flavor:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Without separating the rolls, slice the entire block of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally using a serrated knife. Keep the top and bottom connected to their respective halves.
Place the bottom half in your prepared baking dish.
Drizzle the bottom half with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and sprinkle with oregano.
Layer on the meats, alternating and overlapping: salami, pepperoni, capicola. Get generous — this isn’t the time to be shy.
Add both cheeses, layering them over the meat.
Scatter the pepperoncini, roasted red peppers, and red onion (if using) over the cheese.
Place the top half of the rolls over everything. Press down gently so it all compacts a bit.
In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, parmesan, and red wine vinegar.
Brush this glorious mixture all over the top of the rolls. Use it all — don’t hold back. Get into every crevice.
Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 15 minutes covered.
Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.
Let cool for 5 minutes (if you can wait that long).
Use the natural perforations in the rolls to cut into individual sliders.
Serve with shredded lettuce and tomato slices on the side for people to add if they want.
Notes
- Serve with chips, pasta salad, or a simple green salad.
- Set out extra pepperoncini, hot sauce, or Italian dressing for people to customize.
- These pair perfectly with cold beer, iced tea, or Italian sodas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Fat: ~18g
- Carbohydrates: ~24g
- Protein: ~15g