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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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.
Serving size | (1015.4g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 2938.1 |
Total Fat 205.2g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 86.1g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g | |
Cholesterol 898.2mg | 0% |
Sodium 5866.1mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 77.2g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 3.2g | 0% |
Total Sugars 30.0g | |
Protein 195.2g | 0% |
Vitamin D 106.2IU | 0% |
Calcium 1032.1mg | 0% |
Iron 16.2mg | 0% |
Potassium 1392.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories