Italian Meatball Sliders

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 ounces ground sirloin
• 1 large egg
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 12 water rolls, halved lengthwise
• Cooking spray
• 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut crosswise into 12 thin slices
• 1 cup lower-sodium marinara sauce (such as McCutcheon's)
• 12 fresh basil leaves (optional)

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat broiler to high.
2. 2. Gently combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, being careful not to overmix. Divide beef mixture into 24 equal portions; gently shape each portion into a meatball (do not pack). Arrange rolls, cut sides up, on a heavy baking sheet; broil 30 seconds or until very lightly toasted. Remove roll tops from pan.
3. 3. Arrange meatballs on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; broil 3 minutes or until browned. Turn meatballs over; broil 2 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Arrange 2 meatballs on bottom half of each roll; top each slider with 1 cheese slice. Broil 1 minute or until cheese melts.
4. 4. Place marinara sauce in a microwave-safe dish; cover and microwave at HIGH for 1 1/2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring once. Place two sliders on each of 6 plates; spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce over each sandwich. Top each slider with 1 basil leaf, if desired, and 1 bun top.