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Flavorful Overnight BBQ Meatballs with Cream Cheese Centers

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These meatballs feature a smoky BBQ sauce with a surprise creamy cream cheese center, marinated overnight for deep flavor and baked to perfection. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or game day snacks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend, grass-fed preferred)
  • 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (240ml) BBQ sauce (recommend Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • ½ cup (50g) breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Scoop the softened cream cheese into small balls, about 1 teaspoon each (roughly 5g). Place on a parchment-lined plate and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Take about 2 tablespoons (30g) of the meat mixture, flatten it in your palm, place a cream cheese ball in the center, then fold the meat around it to seal and form a smooth ball. Repeat for all meat and cream cheese, making about 20 meatballs.
  4. Place meatballs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or casserole dish. Pour BBQ sauce evenly over meatballs and gently turn to coat all sides.
  5. Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to marinate.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove cover and bake meatballs for 25–30 minutes until cooked through and sauce is bubbly and thickened.
  7. Optional: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over hot meatballs before serving.

Notes

Chill cream cheese balls before assembling to prevent oozing. Mix meat gently to avoid tough meatballs. Marinate overnight for best flavor. Cover loosely with foil for first 20 minutes of baking to retain moisture, then remove foil to caramelize sauce. If sauce is too thick before baking, stir in a tablespoon of water or apple cider vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ meatballs, cream cheese meatballs, overnight meatballs, party appetizer, easy meatballs, smoky BBQ, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://avabake.com/flavorful-overnight-bbq-meatballs-recipe-with-cream-cheese-centers-made-easy/