🍳DailyRecipes
Dinner

Cowboy Meatballs in BBQ Sauce

Hearty meatballs packed with bacon and cheddar then simmered in a rich, smoky barbecue sauce.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· August 28, 2026
Cowboy Meatballs in BBQ Sauce
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
25 minutes
Total
40 minutes
Serves
4

Cowboy meatballs are a favorite in our house because they combine the best flavors of a summer cookout into one easy meal. These meatballs are loaded with savory bacon and sharp cheddar cheese, making them extra moist and flavorful compared to your standard recipe.

I love serving these over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes or alongside some roasted vegetables for a complete dinner. If you want to make them ahead of time, you can shape the meatballs and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to simmer them in the sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup your favorite barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, onion, egg, and garlic powder.

  2. 2

    Mix everything together gently using your hands until just combined, then shape the mixture into even golf ball sized meatballs.

  3. 3

    In a large skillet, whisk together the barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce over medium heat.

  4. 4

    Carefully add the meatballs to the skillet in a single layer.

  5. 5

    Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer for about 20 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are cooked through and the sauce is nice and thick.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can reheat them gently on the stovetop with a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick.

#meatballs#bbq#dinner#comfort food#easy

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

You might also like