BBQ Meatballs with Pepper and Cheese Animal Cut-Outs
BBQ meatballs are a classic, crowd-pleasing dish that is perfect for any gathering or party. The combination of savory, tangy barbecue sauce and juicy, tender meatballs is always a hit with both kids and adults alike. And when you add in the fun and whimsy of animal-shaped cheese cut-outs, it takes this dish to a whole new level of excitement and creativity.
Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
25 meatballs
Ingredients
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 2
Soak pieces of torn bread in the milk in a bowl for 5 minutes. Gently squeeze out milk. Add beaten egg to the soaked bread and mix well.
Step 3
Mix garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, Italian herb seasoning, sugar, and Parmesan cheese together in a small bowl. Add to bread-egg mixture.
Step 4
Place ground beef in a mixing bowl. Add seasoning mixture and onions; mix together with a fork. If mixture is too dry, add up to a tablespoon of milk. Roll into 25 meatballs and arrange on rimmed baking sheet.
Step 5
Bake in preheated oven until browned and cooked through, about 18 minutes.
Step 6
Drain meatballs on a paper towel. Remove grease from the baking sheet. Transfer meatballs back to the baking sheet. Drizzle 1 cup BBQ sauce over meatballs.
Step 7
Return sheet to oven and bake 12 more minutes.
Step 8
Use a small animal vegetable cutter to make animals out of green, orange, and red peppers. Cut animals out of Colby Jack and mild Cheddar cheese.
Step 9
Drain meatballs on a paper towel and add more BBQ sauce if desired. Add cheese animal cut-out and then animal pepper cut-out to the toothpicks. Work quickly to add toothpick to each meatball.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
413
Calories
24g
Fat
26g
Carbs
23g
Protein
Complement
The addition of colorful pepper and cheese animal cut-outs not only makes the dish visually appealing, but it also adds a layer of fun and whimsy to the meal. Kids will love the playful shapes and bright colors, while adults will appreciate the extra effort and attention to detail. Whether you're hosting a children's birthday party, a family cookout, or just looking to add some pizzazz to a weeknight dinner, BBQ meatballs with pepper and cheese animal cut-outs are sure to be a hit. With its delicious flavors and eye-catching presentation, this dish is a surefire way to bring smiles to the faces of everyone at the table.
