Cheddar Bacon Burger Meatballs

Cheddar Bacon Burger Meatballs

Low Carb/Keto

With a baby on the way I have been meal prepping like crazy.  We aren't currently following any specific diet but I am trying to prep meals that are low carb so that I don't have such a difficult time shedding the baby weight.  Also, eating low carb just makes me feel better!

Feel free to size down this recipe if you don't want to make 50 meatballs!  If you are dairy free or just prefer a different type of cheese you can easily leave the cheese out or switch it to something you prefer.  If I were making these meatballs for just my husband and myself I would probably use blue cheese in place of the cheddar and even stuff a pickled jalapeño in the middle.  I have one kid who is a little on the picky side and he would not go for those swaps but he does love these meatballs.  If you don't eat red meat you could totally make these with part/all chicken or turkey.  The pork gives them great flavor and makes them really tender.

I like these meatballs for their versatility.  You could use eat these meatballs plain, cook with your favorite barbecue sauce or even use them for mini sliders.  

Heating these up in your instant pot or other brand electric pressure cooker is super simple.  In the bottom of your inner pot add 1/2 cup water.  Place the meatballs (thawed or frozen) on top of the water.  Carefully pour your sauce, barbecue sauce... over top of the meatballs being careful not to mix with the water at the bottom (some of it will mix and that's ok just don't stir).  Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes and let the pressure naturally release for an additional 10 minutes (or longer if you prefer).  Carefully release the remaining pressure.  If the sauce is too thin when you open the lid change your setting to saute and cook until it is your desired consistency.

To cook in a crockpot place your meatballs and desired sauce in the crockpot.  Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, stirring occasionally. 

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef or venison (I used venison)
1 pound ground pork
8 ounces thick cut bacon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup almond flour (you could use your favorite bread crumbs or ground oatmeal if you are nut free)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (can omit or cheese of your preference)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or use a cast iron pan (my preference).

Cut your bacon into small pieces and cook over medium low heat until the fat is rendered and it just starts to crisp.  Don't crisp it too much because it will continue to cook when you bake them.

In a large bowl mix together all of the ingredients except for the cheddar cheese. 

Cut your cheese into approximately 50 1/4 inch chunks and set aside.

Using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the meat mixture and flatten it in the palm of your hand.  Place a piece of cheese in the middle and wrap the meat around the cheese.  Roll the meatball in your hands to form a uniform ball and place each ball on your prepared pans.  You should get around 50 meatballs.  

Once you have finished rolling all of the meatballs place the pans in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Flip all of the meatballs and return them to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.  

At this point your meatballs are cooked all the way through and you can eat them or freeze them.

Instructions without pictures:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or use a cast iron pan (my preference).

Cut your bacon into small pieces and cook over medium low heat until the fat is rendered and it just starts to crisp.  Don't crisp it too much because it will continue to cook when you bake them.

Cut your cheese into approximately 50 1/4 inch chunks and set aside.

In a large bowl mix together all of the ingredients except for the cheddar cheese.  Using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the meat mixture and flatten it in the palm of your hand.  Place a piece of cheese in the middle and wrap the meat around the cheese.  Roll the meatball in your hands to form a uniform ball and place each ball on your prepared pans.  Once you have finished rolling all of the meatballs (you should get around 50) place the pans in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Flip all of the meatballs and return them to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.  

At this point your meatballs are cooked all the way through and you can eat them or freeze them.

Nutritional Information:

This information will vary depending on what meat you use.  More specifically your brand of bacon.  I just selected a bacon from the site I used.  If you purchase a bacon with no added sugar your carbs will be even lower.  The nutritional facts are per meatball.

Nutritional information provided from sparkpeople.com