Super Evil Bacon Meatballs

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 lb hardwood-smoked bacon
• 12 ounces ground beef, 80/20 preferred
• 8 ounces ground lamb
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons dry oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon to taste crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 egg

Recipe

• 1 cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces and place into the bowl of a food processor. pulse the bacon until it is evenly ground and no large chunks of bacon remain.
• 2 in a large bowl combine the bacon with the remaining ingredients. mix gently until evenly combined. scoop the meatballs into 1 1/2-inch balls, making sure not to compress the balls while shaping. place on a parchment lined pan and chill, uncovered, for at least two hours.
• 3 heat the oven to 400°f once the meatballs are chilled heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. working in batches, add the meatballs and brown thoroughly on all sides. transfer to a baking sheet until the rest of the meatballs are browned.
• 4 bake the meatballs until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160 f, about 10 to 15 minutes. cool slightly before serving.