Cheeseburger Meatballs with "Special Sauce"

It’s been quite some time since I've been this jazzed about a recipe, but let me tell you about this new- turned-favorite meatball recipe. 

By now you've probably noticed I’m a sucker for meatballs.  So when we had a very lazy weekend at home, I took the opportunity to try yet another rendition.  This time, combining my love for meatballs with my love for hamburgers. 

Seriously – it’s like all the flavors of a Big Mac were combined into the perfectly moist little ball of burger and dipped into that infamous “secret sauce”.  You won’t even miss the bun.  And you know me, always using lean ground turkey in place of beef.  Not this time: beef was what’s for dinner.  I used lean ground beef – a 95/5 split – and they were moist enough that the hubs requested the leftovers for lunch today (he usually steers clear of anything that might dry out when reheated).  And don’t shy away from chopping up that dill pickle for the mixture – it adds just the right balance of pickle-to-burger.

I’m telling you – these are not to miss.   In fact, I’m already dreaming up the variations on a theme – mushroom and swiss, [turkey] bacon and cheddar, pizza ([turkey] pepperoni, mozzarella, pizza sauce), and my personal favorite: cowboy (bbq fried onion)... the possibilities are endless.

Cheeseburger Meatballs with “Special Sauce”

Cheeseburger Meatballs with "Special Sauce"

What You Need for the Meatballs:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 package onion soup mix
• 1 dill pickle spear, chopped
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 egg
• 3/4 c panko bread crumbs
• 3/4 c shredded cheddar cheese

What You Need for the “Special Sauce”:

• 1/3 c mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 3/4 tsp onion powder

How You Do It:

1. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion soup mix, chopped pickles, ketchup, garlic powder, and egg. Add the breadcrumbs and cheese and mix well. 
2. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet.
3. Bake at 375*F, 15-20 minutes, until cooked through.
4. While the meatballs bake, mix the ingredients for the sauce and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Cheeseburger Meatballs with "Special Sauce" recipe adapted from BakeYourDay.net

Taco Burgers

I don’t know about you, but Cinco de Mayo to me means Mexican food and margaritas!  And that’s exactly what took over our back porch last night.

First let’s start with the margaritas.  While I would love to share with you, my trusty readers, the recipe for the margaritas we had last night, I shall keep that in my pocket, as one of my best girlfriends back in Minneapolis shared her family recipe with me, and well, I keep family recipes close at heart.  I will say just two things:  1) these things are deadly; and 2) if you find yourself in a situation where Abi offers to make you a margarita, take her up on the offer!

Now for our fiesta – since the weather was so beautiful this weekend – and I have lobster skin to show for that – we put a backyard BBQ twist on Cinco de Mayo this year with some taco burgers. 

Remember the other day when I made baked tacos?  It included making my own taco seasoning, which I duplicated for these burgers.  So easy, so delicious.  Try it.  Anyway – I whipped together the seasoning, dumped it in some chopped meat with a handful of oatmeal (my mom’s trick) to keep the meat moist, and the hubs took to the grill (not without having to make a quick trip to refill our gas tank!). 

Topped off with salsa and guac, these burgers were exactly what I was hoping for as our BBQ take on Cinco de Mayo!

Taco Burgers

 

Taco Burgers

What You Need:

• 1 lb chopped meat (I used ground turkey)
• 2 tsp dried minced onion
• 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1 handful oats

How You Do It:

1. Combine all ingredients and mix to combine.
2. Form into patties.
3. Grill.
4. Top with your favorite taco toppings, sip a margarita, and enjoy!