Cheese Stuffed Bacon Meatballs Aaron Mccargo Jr
Indulge in the savory decadence of Aaron McCargo Jr.'s Cheese Stuffed Bacon Meatballs, a show-stopping recipe that's perfect for appetizer spreads or hearty mains. These meatballs combine tender ground beef and pork, seasoned to perfection with garlic and onion powders, then wrapped around a gooey cheddar cheese core. To make them even more irresistible, each meatball is enveloped in a crispy bacon blanket and optionally brushed with BBQ sauce for a sticky, smoky glaze. With just 20 minutes of prep, these easy-to-make bites deliver a flavor explosion in every juicy, cheesy bite. Serve them warm and garnished with fresh parsley for a polished finishing touch. Whether for game-day snacks or a dinner upgrade, these cheese-stuffed bacon meatballs are guaranteed to impress. Keywords: cheese stuffed bacon meatballs, Aaron McCargo Jr., easy appetizers, BBQ meatballs, bacon-wrapped recipes, cheesy meatball appetizers.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 0.5 pound Ground pork
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 4 ounces Cheddar cheese (cubed into 1/2-inch pieces)
- 8 slices Bacon (cut in half to wrap individual meatballs)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, optional garnish)
- 0.25 cup BBQ sauce (for glazing, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone mat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined, but do not overmix as this can make the meatballs tough.
Take about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place a cube of cheddar cheese in the center and carefully wrap the meat mixture around it, ensuring the cheese is completely enclosed. Shape it into a ball.
Repeat the process with the remaining meat mixture and cheese cubes to make about 16 meatballs.
Wrap each meatball with half a slice of bacon, ensuring the seam is on the bottom. If needed, secure the bacon in place with a toothpick or tuck it underneath the meatball.
Place the wrapped meatballs seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each meatball.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
If using BBQ sauce, brush it onto the meatballs during the last 5 minutes of baking for a sticky, caramelized glaze.
Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm as an appetizer or main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2938 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 205.2 g | 263% | |
| Saturated Fat | 86.1 g | 430% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 898 mg | 299% | |
| Sodium | 5866 mg | 255% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 77.2 g | 28% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.0 g | ||
| Protein | 195.2 g | 390% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 1032 mg | 79% | |
| Iron | 16.2 mg | 90% | |
| Potassium | 1392 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
