I have had a lot on my plate lately. I think that calls for some comfort food. My father, who has been in and out of the hospital for the last few years, is back in the hospital. He has an infection and other complications that require him to stay there for the foreseeable future. My mom, ever the trooper, has been staying with him as much as possible, and when she can’t be there I go in her place. He is in good spirits, but it seems like one medical issue is fixed in time for another to take its place. All this to say he isn’t getting out anytime soon. On top of that, I am still playing catch-up from a recent vacation – the details of which I will share soon – and my part-time day job has been crazy busy the last few weeks. So, to say my plate if full is not an understatement. What do I want when I am dealing with work and stress? Comfort food, and in this case it is a modified version of my legendary ‘Super Evil’ Bacon Meatballs stuffed with creamy macaroni and cheese. To be sure, it isn’t in the least bit healthy and I can’t be bothered to care. I modified my ‘Super Evil’ Bacon Meatball recipe so it would be a little easier to handle. The original is half ground bacon, which is tasty but rather tricky to handle. Since you have to wrap the meatball mixture around scoops of macaroni and cheese I decided a more sturdy mixture would be best. I reduced the bacon by half, so the meatballs themselves are still super-freaky-naughty with a distinct bacon flavor and the mixture is easy to work with. Win! This macaroni and cheese relies heavily on sharp cheddar for its flavor, and also a touch of cream cheese. The cream cheese helps keep the cheese smooth even after baking. If you have a favorite cheese for mac and cheese – or even a tasty blend – feel free to use it. Just remember, it needs to be strong enough to stand up to the meatball surrounding it. While baking the meatballs may ooze cheese toward the end of the baking time. That is completely ok, and also quite tasty if you are the type that likes crusty, browned cheese. I know I am. I like to eat these topped with a little tomato sauce, but you could also use a creamy sauce, or forego the sauce entirely. It is up to you. These make a hearty meal with paired with a salad or some roasted seasonal vegetables. They also make a ridiculously good hoagie with mozzarella and tomato sauce broiled on top. I imagine these would also be a much discussed cocktail party nibble or appetizer. However you eat them, they are sure to hit the comfort spot. Print Mac and Cheese Stuffed Meatballs Author: Kelly Jaggers Recipe type: Dinner Cuisine: American Prep time: 45 mins Cook time: 20 […]
This post first appeared as Mac and Cheese Stuffed Meatballs on Evil Shenanigans by Kelly Jaggers