Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup bourbon BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 sub rolls, toasted
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
If you don’t have bourbon BBQ sauce, feel free to substitute with your favorite BBQ sauce and add a splash of bourbon for that signature kick. Veggie lovers can add some sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crumbled bacon, breadcrumbs, egg, cheddar cheese, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. I learned this trick from my grandmother — rolling them in your palms ensures they’re perfectly round!
- Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, heat the bourbon BBQ sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until it simmers.
- Once the meatballs are done, add them to the saucepan and gently toss to coat them evenly in the sauce.
- Brush the inside of the toasted sub rolls with melted butter and fill each roll with 3-4 meatballs. Top with additional sauce if desired.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. This adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness — a tip I picked up from countless family feasts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International