Description
Hearty subs filled with tender beef meatballs, smoky beef bacon, melted cheese, and a sweet bourbon BBQ sauce. Perfect for cozy nights or game day gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup non-alcoholic bourbon (or apple juice)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (pork-free)
- 6 slices beef bacon, cooked until crisp
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a large bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
- Roll into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place on baking sheet. Bake for 15–18 minutes until cooked through.
- In a saucepan, combine BBQ sauce, bourbon (or substitute), honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer on low for 5 minutes.
- Add baked meatballs to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Place crisp beef bacon slices in each hoagie roll, top with saucy meatballs, sprinkle with cheese, and broil for 1–2 minutes until melted.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Tip: Keep meatballs and sauce separate from rolls until serving to prevent sogginess. Add honey after cooking sauce for a richer sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking & Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sub
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 1300
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 105
Keywords: bourbon bbq meatball subs, beef bacon subs, smoky meatball sandwiches, sweet and smoky subs