Smokey Mesquite BBQ Meatball Sliders Recipe

Today I’m really excited to share a new partnership with Kraft Foods. Creating recipes for my family is something I love to do but it actually becomes fun when it comes with a challenge. This month I was given the task of turning a Kraft Fresh Take variety into a new and delicious recipe for my family to enjoy.

Kraft Fresh Take Challenge

Use the Kraft Fresh Take Smokey Mesquite BBQ variety to create a recipe that uses one protein (other than chicken), is a an easy appetizer or lunch-friendly sandwich and uses the broiler to add a little crisp to the dish.

As someone who loves to experiment in the kitchen this was an easy challenge for me. There’s a lot you can do with a smokey mesquite BBQ flavor, especially with chicken, but what about ground beef? When I think of easy lunch sandwiches I think of sliders. They’re versatile sandwiches that are made in a kid-friendly size but with gourmet flavors adults will love too.

Smokey Mesquite BBQ Cheddar & Grilled Onion Sliders

Lunch needs to be an easy meal that can be made quickly so we can go about our day. I like to use recipes that don’t have an overwelming number of ingredients. For the Smokey Mesquite BBQ Meatball Sliders you’ll only need a dozen rolls, one Kraft Fresh Take Smokey Mesquite BBQ variety (found in the refrigerator section of your grocery store), one large onion, some bacon, a pound of ground beef, sharp cheddar cheese (Kraft Big Slice is great) and your favorite BBQ sauce (Kraft Hickory Smokey is excellent for this dish).

Kraft Fresh Take Smokey Mesquite BBQ Recipe Ingredients

Inside the Kraft Fresh take bag you’ll find a blend of cheese, seasoned breadcrumbs and spices to make a flavorful meatball. You can toss all of the ingredients inside the convenient bag. I just added the meat and used my hands to combine all of the ingredients until they’re evenly distributed throughout the ground beef.

Kraft Fresh Take Smokey Mesquite BBQ bag mix

One pound of ground beef along with the Kraft Fresh Take makes a perfect dozen meatballs. I just rolled them by hand to about 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. If you want to really get technical to make sure they’re all the same size you can use a small kitchen scale to weigh each one.

Rolling a Meatball

Next the meatballs get spaced out and lined up on a baking sheet (with a lip). Since there is cheese in the meatball you’ll want to make sure to bake them on parchment or Silpat (my preference) lined sheet. Thirty minutes in the oven is all it takes to have them ready!

Smokey Mesquite Meatballs

Once the meatballs are out of the oven you can set them up on the rolls and brush some of the bbq sauce over each one.

 

Add some sharp cheddar to the top for some extra flavor.

Smokey Mesquite BBQ Sliders topped with cheddar cheese

Fried bacon bits give these sliders the perfect crunch.

Smokey Mesquite BBQ Sliders topped with Bacon

And for some added sweetness, chunky grilled onions put these sliders over the top.

Smokey Mesquite BBQ Sliders Topped with Grilled Onions

Just a few minutes under the broiler and you’ve got gooey melty cheese, toasted buns and a dozen sliders ready to serve as an appetizer or lunch for a small crowd.

Dozen Smokey Mesquite BBQ Meatball Sliders

Depending on your appetite one slider is a great start, but two will really fill you up.

Smoky Mesquite BBQ Cheddar Onion Sliders

Keep an eye out next month for a new recipe and challenge using the Kraft Fresh Take Smokey Mesquite BBQ variety. Until then, I’d love to hear your ideas on how to use this product.

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