These bacon wrapped cheese stuffed meat rolls deliver juicy ground meat, melted cheese centers, and crispy bacon in every bite. They come together quickly and make an impressive yet simple dinner or party appetizer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Melty cheese center with savory meat and smoky bacon in every slice
- Easy to prep ahead and perfect for feeding a crowd
- Minimal ingredients with big flavor payoff
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground beef and ground chicken: Create a juicy, balanced meat mixture; all beef or ground turkey works well
- Swiss-style cheese: Melts into stretchy pockets; mozzarella or cheddar are easy swaps
- Bacon: Adds crisp texture and smoky flavor; turkey bacon can lighten it up
- Shredded cabbage and green onions: Keep the filling moist and add subtle freshness; finely chopped onion or zucchini work too
- BBQ glaze: Gives a sticky, caramelized finish; use honey mustard or plain ketchup if preferred
Quick Expert Tips
- Chill the rolled meat for 10 minutes before wrapping in bacon so the shape holds firmly
- Overlap the bacon slightly and tuck the ends underneath to prevent unraveling during baking
- Brush the glaze on during the last 10 minutes so it caramelizes without burning
Recipe Card
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 50 mins | Servings: 8 | Calories: 380
Ingredients:
- 500 g (1.1 lb) ground beef
- 300 g (10.5 oz) ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 thick slices Swiss-style cheese
- 16 slices bacon
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheet lined with silicone mat or parchment
- Pastry brush
Instructions:
- In a large bowl combine the ground beef, ground chicken, egg, shredded cabbage, green onions, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Place one portion on a sheet of plastic wrap and flatten into a thin oval about ¼-inch thick.
- Lay a slice of cheese in the center. Use the plastic wrap to help roll the meat tightly around the cheese, sealing the edges completely. Repeat with remaining portions.
- Wrap each meat roll with 2 slices of bacon, overlapping slightly and tucking the ends underneath.
- Arrange the rolls on a lined baking sheet. Brush lightly with half of the BBQ sauce.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Brush with the remaining BBQ sauce and bake another 8–10 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve while the cheese is still stretchy.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven for 12–15 minutes until heated through. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep the bacon crisp.
Final Thoughts
These bacon wrapped cheese stuffed meat rolls are pure comfort with almost no fuss. Make a batch this week, then leave a 5-star rating and tell me how they turned out in the comments—I can’t wait to hear!