Bacon-wrapped BBQ Sliders

I especially love that these neat little sliders are baked in the oven.  It's wicked cold outside and that can snuff all fun out of grilling.  Despite my aversion to cooking grill-worthy foods indoors, these BBQ basted mini-burgers are juicy and extremely flavorful.  My family loved 'em.  And I will also confess that this last time I made them with ground turkey and they were just as fantastic.  But don't tell the beef I said so.

Bacon-wrapped BBQ Sliders

• 2 pounds Ground Beef
• 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Pepper or Other Seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 8 strips Thin/regular Bacon
• ¼ cups Barbecue Sauce
• 8 slices (shavings) Swiss Cheese, or whatever you prefer
• 8 whole Dinner Rolls (or Slider Rolls or in my case small buns)

Combine meat with all seasoning ingredients. Knead with hands to combine. Form into small-to-medium sized balls.

Cut slices of bacon in half lengthwise. Wrap one half around ball of hamburger, pulling slightly to keep taut. Smooth to secure seam. Repeat with other half of bacon, ending seam in the same place.

Place patties, bacon seam side down, on a baking pan with a drip tray sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Press gently on each patty to flatten as much as you can without squeezing meat out of the edges.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Brush each patty liberally with barbecue sauce.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bacon is cooked to your specifications.

Remove from oven and lay a cheese shaving on each patty. Serve on a roll with your choice of toppings/condiments.  Enjoy.

Recipe inspired by thepioneerwoman.com