Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (see beef recipes)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup bourbon BBQ sauce (BBQ recipes)
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Hamburger buns or sub rolls
- Optional: pickles, lettuce, and additional BBQ sauce for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Divide the mixture into 12 equal parts and roll each into a round ball. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for about 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. Alternatively, pan-fry them in a skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally for even browning.
- Warm the bourbon BBQ sauce in a small saucepan or microwave until heated through. Brush some sauce onto the cooked meatballs for extra flavor.
- Slice the buns and layer each with several meatballs, a generous drizzle of bourbon BBQ sauce, crispy bacon slices, and shredded cheddar cheese. For a melty finish, briefly toast the assembled sandwiches in the oven or use your Ninja Air Fryer Pro Crisp & Roast to achieve crispy bread and melted cheese.
- Enhance with optional toppings like pickles and lettuce. Serve hot with side dishes such as fries or pasta.
Notes
- For extra smoky flavor, add a dash of liquid smoke to the meatball mixture.
- You can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake or fry.
- Using quality bourbon BBQ sauce makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Assembling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free optional (if gluten-free breadcrumbs used)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 650 Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: Forty grams
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg