Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs
A unique twist on the classic meatball sub, combining cheeseburger flavors with a rich bourbon BBQ sauce for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs Use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs.
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For frying the meatballs.
- 1 cup bourbon BBQ sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 pieces sub rolls
- 8 slices crispy bacon
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 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. Once hot, add the meatballs in a single layer, working in batches if necessary.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides for about 5-7 minutes total. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
- Once all meatballs are browned, return them all to the skillet. Pour the bourbon BBQ sauce over the meatballs, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, occasionally stirring gently.
- While the meatballs simmer, slice your sub rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Place them on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 5 minutes until golden brown.
Assembly
- 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 crispy bacon, broken into pieces if desired.
- For extra-melty cheese, return the assembled subs to the oven for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
Serving
- Serve immediately with additional bourbon BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
Do Not Overmix: When combining the meatball ingredients, mix just until everything is combined to keep the meatballs tender. Customize the Heat: Add some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the meatball mixture if you enjoy a bit of spice. Cheese Choices: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheeses, such as pepper jack or gouda, for unique flavors.