Prepare to transform the humble onion into a culinary masterpiece that will make your taste buds dance with delight! Our Baked Onions Filled with Sausage recipe is not just another side dish - it's a flavor explosion that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary Italian-inspired sensation. Imagine tender, caramelized onions stuffed to the brim with savory Italian sausage, crispy breadcrumbs, and melted Parmesan cheese - a dish so irresistible, it'll have your dinner guests begging for seconds before they've even finished their first bite!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large onions
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
- Carefully peel the outer skin of the large onions, keeping the root end intact to help the onion hold its shape.
- Cut off the top of each onion and use a spoon to scoop out the inner layers, creating a hollow onion cup. Leave about a 1/2-inch thick shell to maintain structural integrity.
- In a large skillet, remove the Italian sausage from its casing and brown over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Once the sausage is fully cooked, drain excess fat and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Add breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning to the cooked sausage. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Carefully stuff each hollowed onion with the sausage mixture, pressing gently to pack the filling.
- Place the stuffed onions in the prepared baking dish, standing upright.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the onions are tender and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Choose large, firm onions with thick walls to create the perfect edible "bowl" for your sausage filling.
- When scooping out the onion's interior, be careful to leave a sturdy 1/2-inch shell to prevent the onion from falling apart during baking.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the sausage to prevent the dish from becoming too greasy.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sausage mixture if you enjoy a bit of heat.
- If the onion tops become too dark during baking, cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Let the stuffed onions rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set and make serving easier.
- For a beautiful presentation, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or additional grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 85mg
