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–+ servings

Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

A delightful and quick dinner option featuring juicy beef meatballs coated in sweet bourbon BBQ sauce, nestled in toasted sub rolls with crispy bacon and melty cheddar cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs Use plain breadcrumbs or panko.
  • 1 piece egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder Don't skip this for flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder Adds depth to the meatballs.
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Essential for flavor.
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste.
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil For browning meatballs.

For the Sauce and Assembly

  • 1 cup bourbon BBQ sauce Use store-bought or homemade.
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Add extra if desired.
  • 4 pieces sub rolls Toasted for best results.
  • 8 slices crispy bacon Should be fully cooked.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Set an oven rack in the center.
  • In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  • Form the mixture into meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter (approximately 16-20 meatballs).

Cooking

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and brown for 5-7 minutes.
  • Once all meatballs are browned, return them all to the skillet and pour the bourbon BBQ sauce over, reducing heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • While the meatballs simmer, slice your sub rolls lengthwise and toast in the oven for 5 minutes until golden brown.
  • Place 4-5 meatballs inside each toasted roll, spooning extra sauce over them.
  • Top each sub with ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese and 2 slices of bacon.
  • For extra-melty cheese, return the assembled subs to the oven for 2-3 minutes until fully melted.

Notes

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Freeze leftovers for 2-3 months. Crisp bacon before serving again if stored separately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 35gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 1200mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g
Keyword Bourbon BBQ, Comfort Food, Family Meal, Meatball Subs, Quick Dinner
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