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To create Texas Style Cheeseburger Meatballs, gather these ingredients: - 1 pound ground beef - 1 cup breadcrumbs - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1/4 cup diced onion - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce - 1 tablespoon mustard - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 cup ketchup (plus extra for serving) - 1/4 cup pickles, finely chopped (for added crunch) - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) You can make tasty swaps for some ingredients. If you want a leaner option, use ground turkey instead of beef. For a gluten-free meal, try gluten-free breadcrumbs. If you are vegan, use plant-based ground meat and omit cheese. You can also use any type of cheese you love, such as pepper jack for a spicy kick. Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference. For ground beef, look for 80/20 fat content. This gives your meatballs great flavor and moisture. Fresh herbs add more taste, so if you can, pick parsley from a local farmer. When selecting cheese, choose a block of cheddar. Shredded cheese can have additives that change its melt. Lastly, use fresh garlic and onions for the best flavor. Always pick ingredients that look fresh and vibrant. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature helps the meatballs cook well and get a nice brown color. While the oven heats, get a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper. This makes cleanup easy and keeps the meatballs from sticking. In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients. You need: - 1 pound ground beef - 1 cup breadcrumbs - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1/4 cup diced onion - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce - 1 tablespoon mustard - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 cup ketchup Mix these well with your hands. Make sure the beef and cheese blend evenly with the spices. You want every bite to taste great. Now it’s time to shape the meatballs. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it into a ball about 1.5 inches wide. Place each meatball on the lined baking sheet. Leave some space between each one. This helps them cook evenly. Bake the meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes. Check that they are cooked through and have a nice brown color. Five minutes before they are done, take them out and add a little extra ketchup and pickles on top. This gives them a tasty finish. After baking, let the meatballs cool for a minute before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for a nice touch. To get the best meatball texture, start with cold ingredients. Use cold ground beef and cheese. This helps the meatballs hold their shape. Mix gently but thoroughly. Overmixing can make them tough. Aim for a soft, moist mix. Add breadcrumbs to bind the meatballs. They keep the meatballs light and fluffy. Cooking time may change based on your oven and meatball size. For smaller meatballs, check them at 15 minutes. Larger meatballs may need up to 30 minutes. Always make sure they are cooked to 160°F (70°C) for safety. Use a meat thermometer to check. If they are browning too fast, cover them with foil. You can boost flavor with simple add-ins. Try adding diced jalapeños for spice. A dash of hot sauce in the mix adds a nice kick. Fresh herbs like cilantro or chives can brighten the taste. For a smokier flavor, increase smoked paprika. Lastly, serve with your favorite dipping sauces to enhance flavor. Pro Tips Use 80/20 Ground Beef: For the juiciest meatballs, opt for ground beef that has a higher fat content, such as 80/20. This will keep your meatballs tender and flavorful. Chill the Mixture: If you have time, refrigerate the meatball mixture for about 30 minutes before forming them. This helps them hold their shape better while baking. Add Your Favorite Seasonings: Feel free to customize the flavor by adding your favorite spices or herbs, such as onion powder, garlic powder, or even a touch of cayenne for heat. Perfect Dipping Sauces: Serve these meatballs with a variety of dipping sauces like BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or even a spicy mustard for an extra kick. {{image_2}} To add heat to your meatballs, use spicy ingredients. You can mix in diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce. If you want more flavor, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. This will give a real kick to the dish! You can make these meatballs without meat. Use lentils or black beans as a base. Combine them with breadcrumbs, onion, and spices. For vegan options, replace the cheese with a dairy-free kind. This makes a tasty dish for everyone! Cheese can change the taste of your meatballs. Try using pepper jack for a spicy twist. Mozzarella adds a nice stretch and creaminess. Even blue cheese can bring a bold flavor. Mix and match to find your favorite! To keep your leftover Texas Style Cheeseburger Meatballs fresh, first let them cool. Once cool, place the meatballs in an airtight container. This helps to keep them moist. You can store them in the fridge for up to four days. If you want them to last longer, freezing is a great option. Freezing meatballs is easy and smart for meal prep. First, let the meatballs cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about one hour. After they are firm, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. Be sure to label the bag with the date. You can freeze them for up to three months. This way, you always have a tasty meal ready to go! When you’re ready to eat your meatballs, reheating them is simple. For best taste, use the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warm. You can also use a microwave, but the oven keeps them juicy. Just heat them in 30-second intervals, checking to make sure they don’t dry out. Enjoy your savory meatballs just like the first time! Yes, you can make these meatballs ahead of time. Form the meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. Cover them with plastic wrap and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you are ready, bake them as directed. This saves time on busy days. These meatballs pair well with many sides. You can serve them with: - Fries - Coleslaw - Salad - Baked beans You can also place them in a sandwich or serve them as a fun appetizer with toothpicks. You can easily adjust the recipe for different diets. For gluten-free eaters, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. For a lower-calorie option, try lean ground turkey instead of beef. If you want a vegetarian dish, use a plant-based ground meat. These swaps keep the flavor while meeting dietary needs. In this blog post, we explored the key ingredients for Texas Style Cheeseburger Meatballs, including swaps and quality tips. We walked through the step-by-step process of making these tasty meatballs, from preparation to baking. I shared useful tricks for perfect texture and flavor, as well as variations to suit your taste. Finally, we discussed how to store, freeze, and reheat leftovers. Now, you have all the tools to create mouthwatering meatballs. Enjoy making this dish that everyone will love!

Texas Style Cheeseburger Meatballs

Delicious meatballs packed with the flavors of a classic cheeseburger.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 0.25 cup diced onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.25 cup ketchup (plus extra for serving)
  • 0.25 cup pickles, finely chopped (for added crunch)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and ketchup. Mix until well combined.
  • Using your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there's some space between each meatball for even cooking.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned on the outside.
  • In the last 5 minutes of baking, remove the meatballs from the oven and top each with a small dollop of ketchup and a sprinkle of chopped pickles. Return to the oven to let the toppings warm up.
  • Once done, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them cool for a minute before transferring them to a serving platter.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley for an extra pop of color.

Notes

Arrange the meatballs on a rustic wooden platter and serve with extra ketchup and pickles on the side for dipping. Consider adding some toothpicks for easy serving at parties!
Keyword appetizer, cheeseburger, meatballs