Sliders packed with sweet and spicy meatballs and a Colby pepper jack.
What is not to love about sliders? They’re so stinking cute! They’re little, and always packed full of flavor. And these sweet and spicy meatball sliders are no exception! The meatballs are really easy to make, and the sauce is nothing short of amazing.
My mom used to make these meatballs for me when I was younger. I’m not sure where she first got the recipe. But I remember when she first made them. Grape jelly and chili sauce?! You’ve got to be kidding!! Although I think this sauce is a lot more well known now than it was back then. I still sometimes get that reaction when I tell people that’s what these meatballs are soaked in.
Believe it or not, the combination of these two flavors makes perhaps one of the best sauces I’ve ever had.
These meatballs are really easy to make, and the same recipe that I use when making spaghetti. I just soak them in spaghetti sauce instead of the sweet and spicy sauce. These are just one of those things that I can make a little different every time I make them and they always turn out good. The recipe I have here calls for Italian style bread crumbs, but I’ve made these to be gluten free before. Just substitute the bread crumbs for some gluten free flour and add a little Italian seasoning. They turn out just as good! So feel free to change up the recipe a little to make them just how you and your family like.
The meatballs really are good enough just to eat by themselves, which believe me, I have done that plenty of times. But they’re also so good when smothered with cheese. Really though…what isn’t good smothered in cheese. To make these sliders we just placed the meatballs from the recipe below and cheese on the slider buns and then drizzled some of the extra sauce over them.
These little sliders are always a hit in our house. Especially with the kids!
Sweet & Spicy Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¾ cups Italian style bread crumbs
- 1 (18 ounce jar) grape jelly
- 1 (12 ounce jar) chili sauce
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, eggs, milk, salt, pepper and breadcrumbs into medium size mixing bowl. Using hands mix until well combined.
- Heat up olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
- Roll meat into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place into the saucepan in the oil.
- Turn meatballs while they cook over medium heat until all sides are browned. When cooked remove from pan, drain the grease, place back on stove with low heat and add in the grape jelly and chili sauce.
- Cook the sauce until the grape jelly melts. Add the meatballs back in to cook. Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
Delicious! I spiked them up just a touch with a teaspoon of red pepper flakes in the sauce mixture. They were the first empty tray on the table.
Yum! So glad you enjoyed!
Your recipes look great and I will be trying some very soon. I have a question on the 12 oz. jar of chili sauce. Is this the american version found in the condiments sections and usually made by Hunt’s or Heinz?
Thank you,
Chris
Hi Chris! Yes that is exactly what I use when I make this recipe 🙂 Happy cooking! Let me know how you like them.
I can’t wait to try these! It looks easy and sounds delish. I have had the chili sauce mixed with cranberry sauce (with some little smokies), but can’t wait to try the grape jelly/chili sauce w/ meatballs.
Thanks so much Julie Lee 🙂 these are one of my favorites to make! I hope you enjoy them!
Hello 🙂 Looks so tasty! One question…the ingredients don’t call for eggs, but in the directions you said to put eggs. How many should I use?
Oh my goodness, Arielle, thank you so much for bringing that to my attention!! It would be two large eggs for this recipe. I will definitely go ahead and get that updated! Thanks again 🙂 hope you enjoy the recipe!
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These look amazing! The meatballs sound so flavorful!
Thanks Maria!! They definitely are flavorful 🙂 they’re a favorite in our family! Happy Friday!
This looks so yummy!! I would love for you to come link it up at Lovely Ladies Linky! We would love to see what other deliciousness you have to share 🙂
Thanks so much!! I hopped over and linked up 🙂 Thanks for letting me know about the link party!
Mmmm, I love the flavour in these. What a great way to use grape jelly! Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
I just saw this on the six sisters strut your stuff party and I love this idea! I am throwing a kids bday party and this would be perfect for the little people.
Sliders are perfect for kids!! And my kids love these meatballs! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I’m SO happy to have found your blog and this delicious looking recipe at the Saturday Night Fever link party!