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Cheese Stuffed Meatballs

Italian Cheese Stuffed Meatballs or BBQ Cheese Stuffed Meatballs

Every kid is interested in dinner when you say, meatballs!  Elevate it and make them cheese stuffed meatballs!  Yum!
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Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Italian Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
  • 4-5 Babybel cheese or cheese sticks cut into 9 pieces
  • 2 lbs lean ground beef cold from the fridge
  • ½ teaspoon garlic granules
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
  • ¼ cup finely minced cooked onions
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup chicken broth or milk
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
BBQ Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
  • 5-7 Babybel cheese or cheese sticks cut into 9 pieces
  • 3.5 lbs ground beef cold from the fridge
  • ¾ cup finely minced cooked onions
  • 2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
  • 3 tablespoons BBQ Spice Rub more to taste, I prefer Blues Hog All purpose Spice Rub
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth or milk
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs
Garnish
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • Minced parsley
  • Grated parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • Large Bowl
  • 13"x9" pan

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, add all meatball ingredients except Babybel cheese to the bowl.
  2. Using your hands (with gloves or lightly oiled to prevent sticking), mix the meatball mixture together.
  3. Meatball mixture can be refrigerated for 1-24 hours for better seasoning.
  4. Take meatball mixture to form a nest shape and place a piece of Babybel into the meatball “nest.” Fold the meat over and form a ball about 1 ½” around. Place onto 13x9” pan.
  5. Pan Fry Method: Preheat pan to medium heat. Place meatballs onto pan and allow to cook 10 minutes until brown on one side. Turn and cook with a lid for additional-10-15 minutes. Meatballs are ready at 140F internal temperature or until cheese starts to ooze out. Strain excess liquid. Add tomato sauce to pan of meatballs to warm.
  6. Baked Method: Preheat oven to 400F. Place 13x9 pan into oven for 20 minutes or 140F internal temperature or until cheese starts to ooze out. Strain excess liquid. Add tomato sauce to pan of meatballs to warm.
  7. Smoked/ BBQ Method: Preheat smoker or grill to 350F. Place 13x9 pan into smoker/ BBQ for 25-30 minutes or 140F internal temperature or until cheese starts to ooze out. Strain excess liquid. Add tomato sauce to pan of meatballs to warm.
  8. Garnish with minced parsley or grated parmesan cheese