NEW THIS WEEK
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
All the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger packed into a protein-focused, smaller-portion meatball that's simple enough for an everyday meal.
High Protein • Small Portion • Bariatric Friendly
PREP TIME
15 Minutes
COOK TIME
18-20 Minutes
SERVINGS
4
SERVING SIZE
3 meatballs
PROTEIN
32g
About This Recipe
Cheeseburger Flavor in a Smaller Portion
I love a good burger, but these days I can’t even think about finishing a whole one—and honestly, I don’t need to. I still want all those classic cheeseburger flavors, just in a portion that works better for me. That is where these Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs come in. They combine beef, bacon, cheddar, ketchup, mustard, and all those familiar burger flavors into a small, protein-packed meal without the bun. I can start with one or two, eat slowly, and still feel like I’m enjoying the foods I love instead of giving them up completely.
INGREDIENTS
What You'll Need
Makes 12 meatballs • Serving size: 3 meatballs
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
- ⅓ cup small-curd cottage cheese, drained
- 3 slices turkey bacon, cooked and finely chopped
- ½ cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup finely diced onion
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon sugar-free ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: finely chopped pickles for serving
Instructions
Let's Make Them
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat it with cooking spray.
- Add the ground beef, turkey bacon, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, egg, onion, Parmesan, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to a large bowl.
- Gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the meatballs firm.
- Form the mixture into 12 small meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the centers reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Let the meatballs rest for 3–5 minutes. Serve with sugar-free ketchup, mustard, or finely chopped pickles, if desired.