Cheese-Stuffed BBQ Beef Meatballs
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or foil
- Small saucepan
- Basting brush
- Tongs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 for juiciness
- ½ lb ground pork adds tenderness
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 6 oz cheese cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack, cut into small cubes
For the BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand or homemade
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Make the Meatball Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork it!
Stuff with Cheese
- Take a small amount of meat mixture (about 2 tablespoons), flatten it in your palm, and place a cheese cube in the center. Wrap the meat around the cheese, sealing it completely. Repeat for all meatballs.
Bake
- Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Make the BBQ Glaze
- While the meatballs bake, heat the BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until well combined.
Glaze & Finish
- Remove the meatballs from the oven, brush them generously with the BBQ sauce, and return them to the oven for another 5 minutes.
Serve & Enjoy
- Let them cool slightly before serving. The cheese inside will be molten hot! Serve with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.