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A close-up of a plate stacked with round Smoked Cheese Stuffed Meatballs coated in glossy BBQ sauce, garnished with chopped herbs, showing the juicy, smoked cheese-stuffed interior.

Smoked Cheese Stuffed Meatballs

Juicy smoked meatballs with a gooey mozzarella center, glazed with sweet and tangy BBQ sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 45 meatballs
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 407
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground beef for base
  • 1 pound ground pork for added flavor and juiciness
  • 1 cup Italian panko crumbs binder
  • ½ cup yellow onion chopped (aromatic)
  • ⅓ cup milk moisture
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese flavor enhancer
  • 1 teaspoon salt seasoning
  • 3 large eggs binder
  • 2 teaspoons beef seasoning savory flavor
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder aromatic
  • 9 sticks mozzarella string cheese cut into fifths for stuffing
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce for glaze
  • 1 tablespoon honey sweetness for glaze
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar additional sweetness for glaze

Method
 

  1. Preheat your smoker to 250°F (120°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, panko crumbs, chopped onion, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, eggs, beef seasoning, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix gently until evenly combined.
  3. Chill the meat mixture in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up, making it easier to form meatballs.
  4. Cut each mozzarella string cheese stick into five pieces.
  5. Using a medium cookie scoop, form meat mixture into balls. Press your thumb into the center, insert a piece of mozzarella, and carefully wrap meat around the cheese to seal.
  6. Place meatballs on a lightly oiled wire rack and arrange them in the smoker. Smoke at 250°F for 35–40 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, and brown sugar in a small bowl.
  8. After 35–40 minutes, brush the prepared BBQ sauce over the meatballs. Continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  9. Remove meatballs from the smoker and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 407kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 23gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 646mgPotassium: 438mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 178IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 3mg

Notes

These smoked cheese-stuffed meatballs are perfect for parties or family meals, with melty mozzarella inside and a sticky-sweet BBQ glaze on the outside.

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