Get ready to experience the ultimate flavor explosion with these Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs! Prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure like no other, as we transform ordinary meatballs into a sensational, flavor-packed masterpiece. This dish is guaranteed to leave you craving for more, so let’s dive in and create something truly legendary!
Why You’ll Love This Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs
These Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs are a true flavor powerhouse that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance. The combination of juicy, perfectly seasoned meatballs, oozing with a decadent smoked cheddar and crispy bacon filling, is an absolute game-changer. Get ready to experience a flavor explosion that will have you reaching for seconds (and maybe thirds!). This dish is a must-try for any meat lover who craves a truly sensational and unforgettable culinary experience.
Ingredients
To create these mind-blowingly delicious Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs, you’ll need a few simple, yet high-quality ingredients. Gather your ground beef, smoked cheddar cheese, thick-cut bacon, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, onion, and a selection of bold spices. These ingredients come together to create a flavor profile that is truly out of this world.
- 2 lbs – Ground beef
- 8 oz – Smoked cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 slices – Thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 cup – Breadcrumbs
- 2 – Eggs
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1 small – Onion, diced
- 1 tsp – Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- 1 tsp – Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp – Cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredient Substitutions
- Smoked Cheddar: Swap for pepper jack or gouda cheese (for a different flavor profile)
- Bacon: Replace with spicy Italian sausage or chorizo (for a protein swap)
How to Make Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs
Alright, y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Let’s get to work on these Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs and turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise!
Step 1: Prep Work
First things first, preheat that oven to 400°F and get your workspace ready. Dice up the bacon and shred that smoked cheddar cheese. In a separate bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, onion, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until it’s well incorporated. This is where the magic starts, folks!
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Alright, time to stuff these meatballs! Grab a handful of the beef mixture and flatten it into a patty. Then, place a cube of the smoked cheddar and a few pieces of that crispy bacon right in the center. Carefully wrap the meat around the filling to form a tight, sealed meatball. Repeat this process until you’ve used up all the ingredients. This is where the flavor explosion begins!
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Now, arrange those stuffed meatballs on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Bake them for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted and oozing. Warning: This dish is going to cause some serious food jealousy among your friends and family. But I’m not even sorry about it!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Smoky Twist: For an extra smoky flavor, try using smoked paprika or even a touch of liquid smoke in the meatball mixture.
- Spice It Up: Experiment with different cheese and protein combinations, such as jalapeño-infused cheddar or spicy Italian sausage.
- Jalapeño Popper Version: Add diced jalapeños to the filling for a spicy twist on these Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs.
- Bacon Upgrade: For even more bacon flavor, top the meatballs with additional crispy bacon bits before serving.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Your favorite dipping sauces, like a tangy barbecue or creamy ranch.
Storage: Store the cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze them for longer-term storage.
Reheat: Reheat the meatballs in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to indulge in this flavor-packed masterpiece all over again.
Make-Ahead: These meatballs can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer. Simply follow the recipe instructions up to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate or freeze the uncooked meatballs until ready to bake.
Nutrition Information
These Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs are a protein-packed powerhouse, providing a satisfying and nutrient-dense meal. However, it’s important to enjoy this dish in moderation, as the rich flavors and indulgent ingredients can contribute to a higher calorie and fat content.
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbs: 12 g
- Fat: 29 g
- Sodium: 790 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! These meatballs can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer. Simply follow the recipe instructions up to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate or freeze the uncooked meatballs until ready to bake.
How do I ensure the cheese doesn’t leak out?
To prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking, be sure to completely seal the meatballs around the cheese and bacon filling. Gently but firmly pinch and roll the meatballs to create a tight, secure seal.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Definitely! While the smoked cheddar adds a delightful flavor, you can experiment with other types of cheese, such as pepper jack, gouda, or even a blend of cheeses. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the cheese melts properly.
How do I get the bacon crispy?
For the ultimate bacon experience, try baking the meatballs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This will allow the bacon to crisp up and get deliciously golden-brown all over.
Can I make these meatballs gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to make this dish suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
Try These Next
- Smoked Maple Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Bbq Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Jalapenos With Ranch Drizzle
- Ultimate Bacon Cheddar Ranch Bombs
Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Smoke House
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Meatballs are a delicious blend of smoky flavors and cheesy goodness, perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 cup smoked cheddar cheese, shredded
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, parsley, egg, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix in the crumbled bacon and smoked cheddar cheese until well combined.
4. Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
5. Place the meatballs on the smoker rack and smoke for 1 hour or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
6. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
For extra flavor, try adding different types of cheese or spices to the meat mixture.
These meatballs can also be grilled if a smoker is not available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: meatballs, smoked, cheddar, bacon