Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup bourbon BBQ sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 sub rolls
- 8 slices crispy turkey bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently.
- Form the mixture into meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs for about 5-7 minutes.
- Add bourbon BBQ sauce to the browned meatballs and simmer for 10 minutes on low heat.
- Slice sub rolls lengthwise and toast them in the oven for about 5 minutes until golden.
- Assemble subs by placing meatballs inside each roll, topping with cheddar cheese and turkey bacon.
- Optional: Melt cheese by returning subs to the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sub (200g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef. Customize your toppings with pickles or jalapeños for added zest. Let the meatballs rest briefly after cooking for juicier bites.