Get ready to indulge in a flavor explosion with these Loaded BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs! These hearty sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food, perfect for game days, family gatherings, or any night when you’re craving something satisfying and delicious. Tender, juicy meatballs are tossed in a tangy BBQ sauce, then layered with creamy ranch dressing, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese – all nestled between toasted sub rolls. It’s a mouthwatering combination that’s sure to have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
Ingredients That Make These Subs Irresistible
The key to these Loaded BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs is the perfect blend of flavors and textures. Let’s take a closer look at the star ingredients that make this dish so crave-worthy:
- Ground Beef: The foundation of the meatballs. You can also use ground turkey or a plant-based meat substitute for a healthier twist.
- Breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatballs together, creating a tender and juicy texture.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper add delicious depth of flavor to the meatballs.
- BBQ Sauce: Toss the meatballs in your favorite BBQ sauce for a sweet and tangy coating. Opt for a smoky, spicy, or honey-based sauce to suit your preferences.
- Ranch Dressing: The cool, creamy ranch dressing balances out the bold BBQ flavor.
- Turkey Bacon: Crispy turkey bacon adds a delightful crunch and smoky element to the subs.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melted cheddar cheese takes these subs to the next level of cheesy goodness.
- Sub Rolls: Soft, toasted sub rolls or hoagie buns provide the perfect vessel for these meatball masterpieces.
- Parsley Flakes: A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a bright, herbal touch as an optional garnish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Mouthwatering Meatballs
Get ready to create the star of these loaded subs – the meatballs! With just a few simple steps, you’ll have tender, flavorful meatballs that will have your family and friends raving.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Using your hands, gently mix the ingredients until they’re just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Next, form the mixture into small, evenly-sized meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake them for 15-18 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Once the meatballs are out of the oven, toss them in the BBQ sauce until they’re evenly coated. Now they’re ready to be assembled into those delectable Loaded BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs!
Assembling the Ultimate Meatball Subs
Now that you’ve got your tender, saucy meatballs ready to go, it’s time to start building these mouthwatering subs. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) once again.
Slice the sub rolls in half lengthwise, and brush the insides with the melted butter. Toast the rolls lightly in the oven for a few minutes, just until they’re golden brown and crispy.
Next, layer the bottom half of each sub roll with the BBQ-coated meatballs. Drizzle the ranch dressing over the meatballs, then sprinkle on the chopped turkey bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
Place the assembled subs back in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley flakes, if desired.
Serving and Enjoying Your Loaded BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs
These Loaded BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs are best served hot and fresh from the oven, when the cheese is perfectly melted and the flavors are at their peak. They make a fantastic main dish for game days, potlucks, or family dinners, and they pair well with a variety of side dishes, such as crispy fries, creamy coleslaw, or a fresh green salad.
If you have any leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the subs in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
FAQs About BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs
What ingredients do I need to make BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs?
To make BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs, you’ll need ground beef (or a meat of your choice), breadcrumbs, eggs, BBQ sauce, ranch seasoning mix, cooked and crumbled bacon, sub rolls or hoagie buns, and shredded cheese (such as cheddar or mozzarella). You can also add optional toppings like sliced green onions or extra BBQ sauce.
How do I cook the meatballs for the subs?
You can cook the meatballs for BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs in several ways: baking them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, pan-frying them for 6-8 minutes, or slow cooking them in a crockpot with BBQ sauce for 6-8 hours on low.
Can I make BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare these subs ahead of time. You can make the meatballs and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Alternatively, you can cook the meatballs and store them in the fridge for a few days. When ready to assemble, simply reheat the meatballs and build the subs.
What are some variations or substitutions for BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs?
To customize your BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs, you can try using ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat substitute instead of beef. You can also swap the BBQ sauce for buffalo sauce or teriyaki sauce, or use pepper jack or cream cheese instead of cheddar. For extra toppings, consider adding pickles, jalapeños, or avocado.
More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Meatball Skewers
- BBQ Bacon Cheese Hand Pies
- BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Taquitos
- Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Loaded BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Loaded BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs are an irresistible sandwich that combines savory meatballs, smoky bacon, and creamy ranch dressing, all topped with melted cheese and served on soft toasted rolls.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) Ground Beef (or ground turkey/plant-based substitute)
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce (your favorite type)
- 1/2 cup Ranch Dressing
- 4 slices Turkey Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 4 Sub Rolls or hoagie buns
- Parsley Flakes for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, until cooked through and no longer pink.
- Toss the cooked meatballs in BBQ sauce until evenly coated.
- Slice the sub rolls in half lengthwise and brush the insides with melted butter. Toast them in the oven for a few minutes until golden brown.
- Layer the meatballs on the bottom half of each sub roll. Drizzle ranch dressing over the meatballs, then sprinkle with crumbled bacon and shredded cheese.
- Return the assembled subs to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with parsley flakes if desired and serve hot!
Notes
These Loaded BBQ Bacon Ranch Meatball Subs are best served fresh from the oven. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the subs in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sub
- Calories: Approximately 650
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg