Cheeseburger Bombs Baked Bean Skillet brings several comfort-food favorites together in one pan: soft sesame semolina rolls filled with melted Cheddar and juicy meatballs, baked in a cast-iron skillet around flavorful barbecue baked beans. It’s a perfect game-day or family dinner centerpiece.
Admittedly, it’s a bit over-the-top — but in the best possible way. Light, fluffy semolina rolls are stuffed with seasoned meatballs and slices of Cheddar, then arranged in a skillet and surrounded with tangy barbecue baked beans. The result is indulgent, shareable, and surprisingly simple to prepare.
This idea originated on Reddit and was adapted here with permission from the post’s creator. The recipe is approachable enough for kids to help with and impressive enough to share at gatherings. It’s equal parts fun and delicious.
My family loved this—my teens especially enjoyed the surprise of biting into a roll that hid meat and melted cheese. If you’re serving this to kids or guests, the dramatic presentation and combination of flavors make it a guaranteed hit.
Baked Beans
You can use several types of baked beans for the center of this skillet. Options include sausage baked beans, barbecue bacon spicy baked beans, or slow-cooker breakfast baked beans. If you don’t have a prepared baked bean recipe on hand, simply drain a can of baked beans and stir in about a cup of your favorite barbecue sauce to taste. Either approach gives the beans a bold, balanced flavor that pairs perfectly with the dough and meatballs.
Cheeseburger Bomb Baked Bean Skillet
This recipe works beautifully with a batch of sesame semolina bread dough, which produces soft, tender rolls sturdy enough to hold meatballs and melted cheese. If you prefer convenience, substitute two pounds of thawed frozen bread dough following the package instructions.
Leftover grilled meatballs work great here, and frozen meatballs that have been thawed are an easy shortcut. In the original preparation a ground turkey meatball was used, but beef, pork, or a mixed-meat meatball will all be delicious. If making fresh meatballs specifically for this recipe, allow them to cool completely before stuffing them into the dough so the cheese won’t melt prematurely.
For the baked beans, a barbecue bacon spicy version brings smoky heat, but a simple canned baked bean mixed with barbecue sauce is equally tasty. Choose a barbecue sauce you enjoy—smoky and spicy, sweet and tangy, or somewhere in between.
The recipe is written for a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. If you don’t have that size, you can arrange the rolls in two concentric rings in a 10-inch skillet and bake leftovers in a greased cake pan. The skillet presentation is part of the charm, but the recipe is flexible.
While ideal for game day, this also makes a fun weeknight dinner. Serve with a crisp tossed salad or simple greens to balance the richness, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing meal.
Tools you’ll need
- 12-inch cast iron skillet (or two 10-inch pans / additional cake pan)
- whisk
- pastry brush
How easy it is to make
Cheeseburger Bombs Baked Bean Skillet
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- 1 batch Sesame Semolina Bread Dough (or 2 pounds white bread dough)
- 24 meatballs
- 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, cut into 24 slices
- 2 cups barbecue baked beans
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
For garnish
- Green onions, sliced
- Extra barbecue sauce for serving
Instructions
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Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. Cover with a towel. Prepare a 12-inch cast-iron skillet by spraying with non-stick spray or brushing with olive oil.
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Working with one piece at a time, flatten each dough ball into a circle about 3–4 inches across. Place one slice of cheese and one meatball on the circle. Gather the edges and pinch closed, placing the seam side down against the inside edge of the skillet.
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Arrange the stuffed rolls in two concentric circles in the skillet, leaving the center open. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Pour the barbecue baked beans into the center opening. Whisk the beaten egg with the barbecue sauce and brush the mixture over the rolls. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the tops.
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Bake for 25–32 minutes, until the rolls are set and deep golden brown. For extra color, place briefly under a broiler (about 1–2 minutes), watching closely to avoid burning. Garnish with chopped green onions.
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Set the skillet on a trivet and serve hot, offering extra barbecue sauce for dipping.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
Love this Cheeseburger Bombs Baked Bean Skillet? Try these other one-pot favorites:
- One Pot Lightened Up Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- One Pot Bacon Pizza Pasta
- One Pot Creamy Shells and Cheese
- One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
- One Pot Pizza Tortellini Bake