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Smoky Cheesy Meatballs on the Ninja Woodfire

Smoky Cheesy Meatballs on the Ninja Woodfire

Lee - Smoke & Sear
Servings: 4 Total Time: 2 hrs Difficulty: Intermediate Family Friendly Family Friendly Smoke & Sear Fav. Smoke & Sear Fav.
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Juicy Beef Meatballs Smoked to Perfection

Get ready to show off the power of your Ninja Woodfire Grill with these Smoky Cheesy Meatballs. Big, juicy, and stuffed with gooey buffalo mozzarella, these meatballs are pure comfort food with a gourmet twist. Topped with Gouda and paired with bolognaise sauce and pasta, this dish is a winner for BBQ enthusiasts. Perfect for feeding 5–6 people with a bit left over to enjoy later.

Smoky Cheesy Meatballs on the Ninja Woodfire

Beef
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Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 1.5 hr Total Time 2 hrs
Difficulty: Intermediate Cooking Temp: 125  C Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: £ 25 Calories: Approximately 650 per serving Best Season: Suitable throughout the year
Author: Lee - Smoke & Sear Cooking Method: , Cuisine: , Courses: Recipe Keys: Family Friendly Family Friendly Smoke & Sear Fav. Smoke & Sear Fav.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

For the Topping:

For Serving:

Instructions

  1. Mix and Shape:

    Combine beef mince, coconut flour, onion, seasoning, garlic paste, eggs, bacon lardons, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and form into 15 meatballs (100g each). Insert a cube of buffalo mozzarella in the centre of each meatball, sealing well to prevent leaks. Roll in grated Parmesan and place on a baking tray.

  2. Fire Up the Ninja Woodfire:

    Preheat your Ninja Woodfire on the 'Smoker' setting at 125°C. Use cherry wood pellets for a sweet, smoky flavour. Smoke the meatballs until they reach an internal temperature of 60°C, approximately 35 minutes.

  3. Layer the Sauce:

    Place a layer of bolognaise sauce in a disposable foil tray. Arrange the smoked meatballs on top, pour over additional sauce, and top each meatball with half a slice of Gouda. Sprinkle chopped basil over the top.

  4. Final Cook:

    Return the tray to the smoker and continue cooking until the meatballs hit 74°C internally, about 30 minutes.

  5. Air Fry the Sides:

    While the meatballs finish, air fry the garlic ciabatta breadsticks and sugardrop tomatoes for a few minutes.

  6. Serve and Enjoy:

    Serve the smoky meatballs with air-fried breadsticks, tomatoes, and cooked tagliatelle. Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil.

Equipment

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Note

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chilli flakes to the meatball mix.

These meatballs reheat beautifully, so don’t stress if you’ve got leftovers.

Keywords: smoky meatballs, Ninja Woodfire recipes, cheesy meatballs, BBQ meatballs, family BBQ recipes, smoked meatballs, Gouda recipes
Lee Bishop - Smoke & Sear

smoke.sear

1,007 21,855

Today marks one year since I relaunched the Smoke & Sear website — and honestly, I thought it wouldn’t survive.

With everyone jumping to AI for recipes and reviews, I genuinely expected my little BBQ site to fade away.

But you proved me wrong.

Massively wrong.

Here are 10 epic facts from the first 12 months:

🔥 Nearly 180,000 new people visited the site — enough to fill Wembley twice.

🔥 People from 100+ countries used the site this year.

🔥 The USA alone sent 51,000+ visitors.

🔥 Perfect Pulled Pork was read 32,947 times.

🔥 Ninja content smashed 100,000+ views across Woodfire & FlexFlame reviews.

🔥 Pages were loaded hundreds of thousands of times overall.

🔥 The UK BBQ Events 2025 page hit 7,200+ readers.

🔥 Brisket content pulled 13,000+ views… and I’ve only cooked TWO briskets in my entire life. 😂

🔥 Even the 404 page somehow got 8,406 views.

🔥 And my honest, unsponsored reviews were read over 92,000 times — real testing that people actually trust.

I can’t thank you enough for reading, cooking, sharing, messaging, and keeping this whole thing alive.

In a year where everyone said websites were dead . . . you showed me that real cooks, real stories, and real honesty still matter.

Here’s to year two — bigger, hotter, smokier, and even more ridiculous. 🔥❤️

www.smokeandsear.world

— Lee

58 19
Open
Today marks one year since I relaunched the Smoke & Sear website — and honestly, I thought it wouldn’t survive. With everyone jumping to AI for recipes and reviews, I genuinely expected my little BBQ site to fade away. But you proved me wrong. Massively wrong. Here are 10 epic facts from the first 12 months: 🔥 Nearly 180,000 new people visited the site — enough to fill Wembley twice. 🔥 People from 100+ countries used the site this year. 🔥 The USA alone sent 51,000+ visitors. 🔥 Perfect Pulled Pork was read 32,947 times. 🔥 Ninja content smashed 100,000+ views across Woodfire & FlexFlame reviews. 🔥 Pages were loaded hundreds of thousands of times overall. 🔥 The UK BBQ Events 2025 page hit 7,200+ readers. 🔥 Brisket content pulled 13,000+ views… and I’ve only cooked TWO briskets in my entire life. 😂 🔥 Even the 404 page somehow got 8,406 views. 🔥 And my honest, unsponsored reviews were read over 92,000 times — real testing that people actually trust. I can’t thank you enough for reading, cooking, sharing, messaging, and keeping this whole thing alive. In a year where everyone said websites were dead . . . you showed me that real cooks, real stories, and real honesty still matter. Here’s to year two — bigger, hotter, smokier, and even more ridiculous. 🔥❤️ www.smokeandsear.world — Lee

Coffee-Infused Beef Short Ribs slathered in a bourbon & maple sauce that was so good I nearly licked the plate clean . . . twice.

Rich, sticky, smoky, sweet, boozy — proper grown-up BBQ that hits different.

🔥 The real star though? That sauce.

Here’s how you make it — trust me, you’ll wanna bookmark this one:

🧪 Bourbon & Maple BBQ Sauce

• 160g Maple Syrup
• 80g @woodfordreserve Bourbon
• 60g Ketchup
• 60g Brown Sugar
• 4 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 4 tsp @norfolk_smoke_pit ‘Brew & Briskets’ Rub

Chuck it all in a pan, simmer it down, and let the magic happen. It’s sticky, boozy BBQ gold.

📸 Would I make these again? Absolutely.

⏪ Did I cook these exact ribs 4 years ago to the day? You bet I did.

99 13
Open
Coffee-Infused Beef Short Ribs slathered in a bourbon & maple sauce that was so good I nearly licked the plate clean . . . twice. Rich, sticky, smoky, sweet, boozy — proper grown-up BBQ that hits different. 🔥 The real star though? That sauce. Here’s how you make it — trust me, you’ll wanna bookmark this one: 🧪 Bourbon & Maple BBQ Sauce • 160g Maple Syrup • 80g @woodfordreserve Bourbon • 60g Ketchup • 60g Brown Sugar • 4 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar • 4 tsp @norfolk_smoke_pit ‘Brew & Briskets’ Rub Chuck it all in a pan, simmer it down, and let the magic happen. It’s sticky, boozy BBQ gold. 📸 Would I make these again? Absolutely. ⏪ Did I cook these exact ribs 4 years ago to the day? You bet I did.

1 year living next door to RAF Coningsby . . . and what a year it’s been.

Didn’t miss a single Typhoon display practice, caught every Red Arrows pass I could, and those Lancaster moments over the garden will always feel special.

Here’s a little montage of just some of the magic I’ve seen this year.

Can’t wait to see what 2026 brings. ✈️🔥

93 5
Open
1 year living next door to RAF Coningsby . . . and what a year it’s been. Didn’t miss a single Typhoon display practice, caught every Red Arrows pass I could, and those Lancaster moments over the garden will always feel special. Here’s a little montage of just some of the magic I’ve seen this year. Can’t wait to see what 2026 brings. ✈️🔥

Not just cooked . . . this tomahawk was forged in fire.

Reverse-cooked low ‘n slow, then straight-up dirty seared right on the coals for that primal crust. Finished with a fat slice of cowboy butter — melted over the top with a chunk of red-hot charcoal.

Flavour? Savage.
Style? Full caveman.
Crust? Absolute filth.

👉 Full step-by-step recipe now live over on the site if you’re keen to give it a go.

www.smokeandsear.world

105 7
Open
Not just cooked . . . this tomahawk was forged in fire. Reverse-cooked low ‘n slow, then straight-up dirty seared right on the coals for that primal crust. Finished with a fat slice of cowboy butter — melted over the top with a chunk of red-hot charcoal. Flavour? Savage. Style? Full caveman. Crust? Absolute filth. 👉 Full step-by-step recipe now live over on the site if you’re keen to give it a go. www.smokeandsear.world

Too early for a Christmas-themed turkey cook? Maybe.

But with Thanksgiving just around the corner and festive planning in full swing . . . now feels like the perfect time to drop this belter.

Smoked, brined, and slathered in herby garlic butter – this wood-fired turkey’s an absolute showstopper.

Full cook on the Kamado Joe. Full flavour. Full-on festive vibes. 🎄🔥

🎥 Watch the reel
📌 Save it for the big day
🖱️ Full recipe’s up on the site now

#SmokeAndSear #ChristmasTurkey #BBQTurkey #KamadoJoe #SmokedTurkey #ThanksgivingFeast #FestiveBBQ #BBQSeason #BBQLife #TurkeyDoneRight

64 8
Open
Too early for a Christmas-themed turkey cook? Maybe. But with Thanksgiving just around the corner and festive planning in full swing . . . now feels like the perfect time to drop this belter. Smoked, brined, and slathered in herby garlic butter – this wood-fired turkey’s an absolute showstopper. Full cook on the Kamado Joe. Full flavour. Full-on festive vibes. 🎄🔥 🎥 Watch the reel 📌 Save it for the big day 🖱️ Full recipe’s up on the site now #SmokeAndSear #ChristmasTurkey #BBQTurkey #KamadoJoe #SmokedTurkey #ThanksgivingFeast #FestiveBBQ #BBQSeason #BBQLife #TurkeyDoneRight

Right then — first brew DONE, and what better way to mark it than cooking up something to go with it 🍗🍺

If you saw my reel 20 days ago, @igulubeer had sent me their S1 Smart Home Brewing System (gifted) — and this was the moment of truth. First pour, first taste, and my first ever beer used in a BBQ recipe.

I grilled up some beer-brined, honey beer glazed chicken thighs on the @ninjakitchenuk Woodfire, dropped ’em into warm naan pockets with salad, poured over some of that leftover glaze, and got stuck in 🔥

⸻

🧂 Beer Brine:

• 250ml cold water
• 250ml of my freshly brewed German Helles
• 50g salt
• 25g sugar
• 1 garlic clove (smashed)
• 1 bay leaf
• 5–6 peppercorns

Brined boneless, skinless chicken thighs for 6 hours, patted them dry, and cracked on.

⸻

🍯 Honey Beer Glaze:

• 150ml beer
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1.5 tbsp French’s yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper
• Knob of butter

Simmered until it thickened up and got sticky, then basted the chicken in the last few mins.

⸻

🔥 Cooked in the Ninja Woodfire:

• Grill Mode: HIGH
• Around 10–12 mins, flipping halfway
• Glazed the last 3–4 mins ’til it was glossy and banging

⸻

Served it all in naan pockets with fresh salad, poured over some of that leftover glaze, and washed it down with a cold pint of the beer I brewed myself. Not gonna lie — for a first try, I’m proper impressed 👌

The only problem? I’ve no CO2 setup yet, so the keg needs finishing sharpish . . . looks like it’s gonna be a very decent night 😂

👉 What should I brew next?

#ad @igulubeer

www.igulu.co.uk

#igulu #iGuluS1 #gifted #bbqandbeer #firstbrew #beerbrined #stickychicken #ninjawoodfire #beerrecipe #bbqrecipe #cheekydrink #comingsoon #brewtobbq

66 7
Open
Right then — first brew DONE, and what better way to mark it than cooking up something to go with it 🍗🍺 If you saw my reel 20 days ago, @igulubeer had sent me their S1 Smart Home Brewing System (gifted) — and this was the moment of truth. First pour, first taste, and my first ever beer used in a BBQ recipe. I grilled up some beer-brined, honey beer glazed chicken thighs on the @ninjakitchenuk Woodfire, dropped ’em into warm naan pockets with salad, poured over some of that leftover glaze, and got stuck in 🔥 ⸻ 🧂 Beer Brine: • 250ml cold water • 250ml of my freshly brewed German Helles • 50g salt • 25g sugar • 1 garlic clove (smashed) • 1 bay leaf • 5–6 peppercorns Brined boneless, skinless chicken thighs for 6 hours, patted them dry, and cracked on. ⸻ 🍯 Honey Beer Glaze: • 150ml beer • 2 tbsp honey • 1.5 tbsp French’s yellow mustard • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 tsp smoked paprika • Salt & pepper • Knob of butter Simmered until it thickened up and got sticky, then basted the chicken in the last few mins. ⸻ 🔥 Cooked in the Ninja Woodfire: • Grill Mode: HIGH • Around 10–12 mins, flipping halfway • Glazed the last 3–4 mins ’til it was glossy and banging ⸻ Served it all in naan pockets with fresh salad, poured over some of that leftover glaze, and washed it down with a cold pint of the beer I brewed myself. Not gonna lie — for a first try, I’m proper impressed 👌 The only problem? I’ve no CO2 setup yet, so the keg needs finishing sharpish . . . looks like it’s gonna be a very decent night 😂 👉 What should I brew next? #ad @igulubeer www.igulu.co.uk #igulu #iGuluS1 #gifted #bbqandbeer #firstbrew #beerbrined #stickychicken #ninjawoodfire #beerrecipe #bbqrecipe #cheekydrink #comingsoon #brewtobbq

1 year to the day . . . and I still can’t believe little old me was flown to Nashville by @ninjakitchenuk . First time in America, first time doing anything like that — honestly one of the biggest moments of my BBQ life. And yep, the FlexFlame review I wrote back then is still getting loads of daily traffic too. Madness.

105 7
Open
1 year to the day . . . and I still can’t believe little old me was flown to Nashville by @ninjakitchenuk . First time in America, first time doing anything like that — honestly one of the biggest moments of my BBQ life. And yep, the FlexFlame review I wrote back then is still getting loads of daily traffic too. Madness.

Simple Beef Stew & Fire-Roasted Mash in the Kamado Joe

No thrills. No fancy edits. Just a proper wholesome family dinner cooked low and slow outdoors. Diced beef braising steak, smoked and stewed in the Smoke Pot, with jacket spuds roasted next to it and turned into mash — easy as you like.

Kept the reel as simple as the cook — no crazy angles, just real food, cooked for me and the kids. And sometimes, it’s the simple things that just hit the spot.

Not that you’ll need it, but the full recipe’s up on the website as usual 😉

www.smokeandsear.world

#SmokeAndSear #KamadoJoeCooking #SimpleBBQ #FamilyFood #BeefStew #BBQMash #OnePotCook #RealFoodRealFire #OutdoorCooking #BBQLife

107 17
Open
Simple Beef Stew & Fire-Roasted Mash in the Kamado Joe No thrills. No fancy edits. Just a proper wholesome family dinner cooked low and slow outdoors. Diced beef braising steak, smoked and stewed in the Smoke Pot, with jacket spuds roasted next to it and turned into mash — easy as you like. Kept the reel as simple as the cook — no crazy angles, just real food, cooked for me and the kids. And sometimes, it’s the simple things that just hit the spot. Not that you’ll need it, but the full recipe’s up on the website as usual 😉 www.smokeandsear.world #SmokeAndSear #KamadoJoeCooking #SimpleBBQ #FamilyFood #BeefStew #BBQMash #OnePotCook #RealFoodRealFire #OutdoorCooking #BBQLife