Savory Bacon-Stuffed Delight Balls

Ingredients

• 1. A hint of olive oil, if desired,
• 2. A generous ½ cup of diced red bell pepper, optional,
• 3. ½ cup of finely chopped celery for added flavor, optional,
• 4. Finely chopped onion, ½ cup, optional,
• 5. 2 cups of your favorite stuffing mix, like the classic Kraft® Stove Top®,
• 6. Creamy cream cheese, half of an 8-ounce block, softened and cut into chunks,
• 7. Softened butter, a quarter cup cut into chunks,
• 8. Whisked egg for binding,
• 9. A mix of very hot water, approximately ⅔ cup,
• 10. Bread crumbs, around ⅔ cup or as required for consistency,
• 11. Crispy bacon slices, 6 or more for an extra kick, optional.

Step 1

Start by heating some oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Toss in red bell pepper, celery, and onion, and sauté until they become tender, which should take around 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 3

In a large bowl, mix together stuffing mix, cream cheese, butter, and a beaten egg. Pour in some hot water and blend everything well until it forms a cohesive mixture. Let it rest for about 10 minutes to allow the liquid to be absorbed. Then, add the sautéed red bell pepper mixture and combine everything thoroughly. Shape the mixture into small 1-inch balls.

Step 4

Prepare a shallow dish with bread crumbs. Roll the balls in the bread crumbs until they are evenly coated. Place the coated balls on a baking sheet and gently flatten them into patties. Wrap each patty with a strip of bacon.

Step 5

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake until the bottoms of the patties are browned and crispy, which should take approximately 10 minutes. Flip the patties and continue baking until the tops are also crispy, for about another 10 minutes.