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Beef meatball sliders

Spiced Lamb Meatball Sliders with Goat Cheese and Pickled Cucumbers

 

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ cup diced onion

  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

  • 2 ounces fresh goat cheese (about ¼ cup)

  • ½ pound merguez sausage (spicy lamb) or hot Italian sausage, casings removed

  • 1 pound ground lamb

  • ½ cup breadcrumbs

  • 2 large eggs

  • Kosher salt, to taste

For the Sauce:

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand

  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • ½ teaspoon sugar

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

For the Sliders:

  • ½ pound fresh goat cheese (about 1 cup)

  • 2½ tablespoons mascarpone cheese

  • 1½ tablespoons whole milk

  • â…› teaspoon dried oregano

  • ¼ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

  • ¼ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

  • ¼ teaspoon chopped fresh dill

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 24 slider rolls

  • Pickled sliced cucumbers, for serving


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Base:
    Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

  2. Toast the Spices:
    Add coriander, chopped fennel seeds, and rosemary to the skillet. Toast for 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and chill until cool.

  3. Form the Goat Cheese Balls:
    Roll the goat cheese into small ½-inch marble-sized balls. Set aside.

  4. Make the Meatball Mixture:
    To the cooled spice mixture, add the sausage, ground lamb, breadcrumbs, eggs, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix gently by hand until just combined.

  5. Shape the Meatballs:
    Divide the mixture into 24 small ovals (about 2 tablespoons each). Press your thumb into the center of each oval to create a small indentation. Place a goat cheese ball inside, then mold the meat around it, rolling into smooth balls. Refrigerate until ready to cook.

  6. Prepare the Sauce:
    In a large pot, heat ¼ cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes with their juices, red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and sugar. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the oregano.

  7. Cook the Meatballs in Sauce:
    Gently add the meatballs to the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes.

  8. Make the Goat Cheese Spread:
    In a bowl, beat together goat cheese, mascarpone, and milk with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in oregano, rosemary, thyme, dill, ¼ teaspoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper.

  9. Assemble the Sliders:
    Spread the goat cheese mixture on each slider roll. Top with a meatball, some pickled cucumbers, and spoon extra sauce over the meatballs.


To prevent the goat cheese center from leaking out while cooking, chill the formed meatballs well before cooking. This helps the cheese hold its shape and creates a delicious, melty surprise inside each bite.

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