A delightful twist on traditional meatball subs that brings together the best burger flavors paired with a rich and smoky bourbon-infused BBQ sauce.
Ingredients
Scale:
1 pound ground beef (preferably 80/20)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
4 hoagie rolls or sub buns
8 slices cooked bacon, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Dill pickles (optional)
Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Using your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned on the outside.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the bourbon BBQ sauce by combining BBQ sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until heated through.
Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the saucepan with the bourbon BBQ sauce and gently toss to coat.
Slice the hoagie rolls open and place them on a serving platter. Spoon a generous amount of meatballs into each roll.
Top each sub with chopped bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. If desired, add dill pickles.
Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired and serve immediately.
