If smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, gooey melted cheddar, and crispy bacon sound like your ideal flavor combo—get ready to fall in love. These Cheesy BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatball Subs take everything you crave in a hearty sandwich and crank it to eleven. Each meatball is wrapped in bacon, baked to golden perfection, tossed in rich BBQ sauce, then piled into toasted sub rolls and blanketed with cheese. It’s big flavor, big comfort, and totally unforgettable.
Why I Love This Recipe
These subs are everything I want in a game day hero or indulgent weekend dinner. The meatballs are juicy and flavorful on their own, but wrapping them in bacon takes things completely over the top. Toss them in warm BBQ sauce, melt cheddar cheese over everything, and you’ve got a craveable, smoky, cheesy, messy masterpiece.
It’s got the same cheesy joy as our Easy Chicken Sliders and the crowd-pleasing, comfort-loaded vibes of Sheet Pan Quesadillas.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon
- 4 sub rolls
Swaps and Notes
- Meat options: Try ground turkey or pork for a twist.
- Bacon: Use thick-cut for extra crispness or peppered for extra heat.
- Cheese: Mix in Monterey Jack or smoked gouda for more melt and depth.
- BBQ sauce: Sweet, spicy, or smoky—it’s your call. Homemade or bottled works great.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix and shape into 16 meatballs.
- Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each meatball in a slice of bacon. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
- Bake: Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes or until bacon is crispy and meatballs are cooked through.
- Heat BBQ Sauce: In a small saucepan, warm BBQ sauce over low heat.
- Coat the Meatballs: Remove toothpicks, then toss the meatballs in the warm BBQ sauce.
- Assemble Subs: Cut sub rolls in half lengthwise and add 4 saucy meatballs to each.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle cheddar over each sub.
- Final Bake: Return subs to the oven for 5–10 minutes until cheese is melty and bubbly.
- Serve Hot: Plate and serve right away. Napkins recommended!
Tips for Success
- Let meatballs cool a few minutes before tossing in BBQ to help sauce stick.
- Toast the rolls lightly before assembling to avoid sogginess.
- For party food, slice subs into smaller pieces and serve as sliders.
- Keep extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Round out your sandwich experience with some fun, flavorful sides and sips:
- A scoop of Crockpot Nacho Dip for sharing
- A crunchy side like Dorito Casserole
- A chilled Blueberry Lemonade for a tangy contrast
- Or pair it with Cheesy Chicken Sliders for a full-on meat lover’s buffet
Storage and Leftover Tips
- Fridge: Store assembled or unassembled meatballs in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked meatballs (without sauce) for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm meatballs in BBQ sauce on the stove or microwave subs covered in foil at 350°F until heated through.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders
- Sheet Pan Quesadillas
- Dorito Casserole
- Crockpot Nacho Dip
- Blueberry Lemonade
Final Thoughts
These Cheesy BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatball Subs are the definition of over-the-top in all the right ways. Smoky bacon, tender meatballs, melty cheese, and sticky-sweet BBQ sauce come together in a sandwich that’s destined to impress. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crew or treating yourself to something wildly delicious, this recipe delivers.
Try it out and tell us what you think in the comments—then follow for more cheesy, meaty, finger-licking meals from ChefManiac’s flavor-packed kitchen.
Leave a Reply