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Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs - featured image
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These hearty subs feature juicy beef meatballs studded with crispy bacon, smothered in a sweet and smoky bourbon BBQ sauce, and topped with gooey cheddar cheese. Perfect for game day or casual gatherings, they deliver all the classic cheeseburger flavors in a fun, hand-held form.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 4–6 sub rolls or hoagie buns
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
  • Pickles, sliced (optional)
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Tomato slices (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon until crispy (about 8 minutes on medium heat), drain, and chop into small pieces. Let cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped bacon, shredded cheddar, panko breadcrumbs, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently.
  3. Form mixture into 18-20 meatballs (about 1.5 inches each) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  4. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake meatballs for 15-18 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  5. While meatballs bake, combine barbecue sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, and smoked paprika in a skillet over medium heat. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Add baked meatballs to the skillet with sauce. Toss gently to coat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  7. Slice sub rolls lengthwise (not all the way through) and toast under broiler for 2 minutes if desired.
  8. Arrange lettuce and tomato slices inside each roll. Stuff with 3-4 meatballs per sub and spoon extra sauce over the top.
  9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar over meatballs. Place subs on baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Top with sliced pickles and serve hot.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and rolls. For vegetarian, substitute plant-based ground, veggie bacon, and vegan cheese. Chill meatballs before baking for better shape. Toast rolls to prevent sogginess. Meatballs and sauce can be made ahead and reheated. For extra kick, add jalapeños or use pepper jack cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: bourbon bbq, bacon, cheeseburger, meatball subs, game day, party food, easy dinner, comfort food, sandwich, American

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/bourbon-bbq-bacon-cheeseburger-meatball-subs-easy-game-day-recipe/