Mortadella Meatball Sliders

Instructions

1. This recipe originally appeared on Giada Entertains: Pre-Game Burger Bash.

For the meatballs:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Combine the cheese, breadcrumbs, milk, oregano, lemon zest, salt and egg in a medium bowl. Add the pork and mortadella and gently fold the mixture until fully and evenly combined.
3. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil on a small rimmed baking sheet. Scoop the mixture into 12 golf-ball sized balls and roll until smooth. Place on the baking sheet. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon olive oil and bake, 15 minutes.

For the sauce:

1. Meanwhile, pulse the pistachios in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add the basil, parsley and salt and pulse to combine. And the olive oil and 1/4 cup cold water and puree until it',s a relatively smooth paste. Add the cheese and pulse to combine.
2. Remove the meatballs from the oven and spread a teaspoon of pesto on each meatball. Bake for an additional 5 minutes.

For the sliders:

1. Spread a little pesto on the top and bottom of each bun. Place a pinch of arugula on the bottom and a meatball on the arugula. Top with the top half of the buns and serve.