These easy-to-make meatballs have all the flavors of a cheeseburger, but in compact, convenient meatball form. A great weeknight meal that takes 10 minutes to prep.

Cheeseburger meatballs with burger dipping sauce. A simple weeknight meal that tastes like burgers!

Meatballs are great because they’re so easy to make – and can be customized in so many ways.

There are classic meatballs, BBQ meatballs, Swedish meatballs, Italian meatballs… and so many more.

Today we’re adding another one to add the mix: Cheeseburger meatballs!

These meatballs have all the ingredients and flavors of a traditional burger – but it’s all compact in meatball form. 

Cheeseburger meatballs: Cheesy meatballs with all the burger flavors - in convenient meatball form!

What You’ll Need

The ingredient list for these cheeseburger-inspired meatballs contain easy-to-find pantry staples. You’ll need:

  • Ground beef: Some meatballs are made with a mixture of ground pork and ground beef, but since these are burger-themed, we’re sticking to just ground beef. Use 85% or 90% lean which both work well for meatballs.
  • Breadcrumbs: You can use panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs. Gluten free breadcrumbs will also work.
  • Egg: One egg is used to hold the mixture together and add moisture.
  • Cheddar cheese: I opted for cheddar cheese to add to the classic burger flavor. You can experiment with different flavors of cheese – just make sure the flavors jive with the rest of the ingredients (relish, mustard, etc.)
  • Dill pickle relish: A tablespoon of dill relish is added to enhance the burger flavor of these meatballs. If you don’t have dill relish on hand, you can chop up a dill pickle spear.
  • Mustard: I used a small amount of Damn Good Mustard (made in Minnesota) which is a sweet & spicy mustard. You can substitute Dijon mustard or another mild mustard. Don’t go overboard! Just a teaspoon or so is needed to add great flavor.
  • Spices: A simple blend of garlic powder, dried granulated onion, salt and pepper is used to flavor the meat.

How to make cheeseburger meatballs: Click through for recipe.

How To Make Meatballs

If you’ve never made meatballs before – this is your nudge! No matter what flavor you’re making, they couldn’t be easier to make. Here’s the process:

  • Mix all ingredients together (hand mixing works well!) until the meat mixture is uniform
  • Take a golf ball-sized amount of the mixture and form into a ball
  • Place uncooked meatballs on a greased baking sheet
  • Bake at 400F for 18 to 20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145F

That’s it. These meatballs take about 10 minutes of prep + 20 minutes or so to cook. 

To save even more time, you can mix the meat mixture the night before, shape into meatballs, and store in the fridge until ready to bake.

How to make cheeseburger meatballs: Click through for recipe.

Make A Delicious Burger Sauce

Every burger needs a good burger sauce. The same goes for a cheeseburger meatball!

I made a super simple burger sauce using these pantry staples:

  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sugar
  • Black pepper

You can use your favorite burger sauce as a dip for these cheeseburger meatballs. A sriracha mayo or garlic aioli would taste great.

Want more ideas? Check out these 25+ dipping sauce ideas.

Cheeseburger meatballs served with a simple burger sauce & Sweet potato fries.

Serving Suggestions

These meatballs are great eaten plain and make great leftovers. But you can make it more fun – or make it into a meal – with the following serving suggestions:

  • Make a cheeseburger meatball burger bowl: Serve with lettuce leaves, pickles, tomatoes, and burger sauce on the side
  • Make into appetizers: Grab a long toothpick. Layer a grape tomato, pickle slice, and meatball.
  • Make into meatball sliders: These meatballs are the perfect size for sliders! Find slider rolls and toast them, add burger sauce, add a meatball – and serve.

Store leftover meatballs refrigerated in an airtight container and eat within 3 to 4 days. These can also be frozen and stored for 2 to 3 months.

Cheeseburger meatballs served with a simple burger sauce & Sweet potato fries.

Cheeseburger Meatballs

Yield: 20 meatballs
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef (85% or 90% lean)
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon dill relish (or 1 chopped dill pickle)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons sweet & hot mustard (or Dijon or other mustard - preferably mild)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons granulated dried onion flakes
  • Salt and pepper

Burger sauce

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix with your hands until meat mixture is uniform.
  3. Take a golf ball-sized amount of the meat mixture and roll into a ball. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining meat mixture.
  4. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145F.
  5. For burger sauce: Mix all ingredients together and serve with meatballs. Store any leftover sauce in fridge.

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