Looking for a delicious and impressive dish to serve at your next gathering? Look no further than Stuffed Onions, also known as Onion Dolma. These flavorful and savory onions are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Plus, they are surprisingly easy to make!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great flavors: The combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, and aromatic herbs and spices make these stuffed onions burst with flavor.
- Quick prep time: Despite looking fancy, this dish comes together quickly and easily, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make a batch of these stuffed onions ahead of time and enjoy them throughout the week for a convenient and delicious meal.
Ingredient Notes:
- Olive oil: Adds richness and flavor to the dish.
- Large yellow onions: The base of the dish, providing a sweet and savory flavor.
- Lean ground beef and ground Italian sausage: Adds protein and richness to the filling.
- Chicken broth: Adds moisture and flavor to the dish.
- Jasmine rice: Adds texture and helps bind the filling together.
- Can of finely chopped tomatoes: Adds a burst of freshness to the filling.
- Shallot, garlic cloves, salt, black pepper, fennel seeds, dried basil, dried oregano, onion powder, red pepper flakes, fresh thyme, and fresh Italian parsley: Aromatic herbs and spices that enhance the flavor profile of the dish.
Sauce: - Strained tomatoes (passata): Creates a smooth and flavorful sauce.
- Chicken broth: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
Garnish: - Balsamic glaze, olive oil, and fresh parsley: Adds a finishing touch of flavor and freshness to the dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat your oven and prepare your ingredients.
- Peel the onions and hollow out the centers, being careful not to cut through the bottoms.
- Prepare the filling by combining the ground beef, Italian sausage, jasmine rice, chopped tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and spices in a bowl.
- Stuff the hollowed-out onions with the filling mixture.
- Make the sauce by combining strained tomatoes and chicken broth in a saucepan.
- Pour the sauce over the stuffed onions and bake until the onions are tender.
- Garnish with balsamic glaze, olive oil, and fresh parsley before serving.
Helpful Tips:
- Use a melon baller or small spoon to hollow out the onions.
- To save time, you can prepare the filling and sauce ahead of time.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef and sausage with lentils or mushrooms.
- Leftover stuffed onions can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and ground lamb.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor profile of the dish.
- Serve the stuffed onions with a side of tzatziki sauce for a refreshing contrast.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these Stuffed Onions with a side of fluffy couscous, a crisp green salad, and a glass of red wine for a complete and satisfying meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
To store leftovers, place the stuffed onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make these stuffed onions ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dish up to a day in advance and bake when ready to serve.
- Can I freeze the stuffed onions? While they can be frozen, the texture of the onions may change slightly upon thawing.
- Can I use different types of onions for this recipe? While yellow onions are traditional, you can experiment with other varieties for a different flavor profile.
Conclusion:
With their delicious flavors and impressive presentation, Stuffed Onions are sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Don’t be intimidated by their fancy appearance, as they are surprisingly easy to make. Give this recipe a try and impress your guests with this flavorful and unique dish!
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Stuffed Onions (Onion Dolma)
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Stuffed Onions (Onion Dolma) are filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, Italian sausage, rice, and herbs, then baked to perfection. Serve with a savory tomato sauce and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Filling:
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 6 large yellow onions, skins removed
- 1/2 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup jasmine rice, rinsed, uncooked
- 1 can finely chopped tomatoes, 398mL
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
Sauce:
- 1 cup strained tomatoes, passata/smooth
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp salt (if required)
Garnish:
- balsamic glaze
- drizzle of olive oil
- fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Onions: Cut off the top and bottom of each onion, hollow out the center, and set aside.
- Make Filling: In a skillet, cook beef, sausage, shallot, garlic, and spices. Add rice, tomatoes, and herbs.
- Fill Onions: Stuff each onion with the filling mixture.
- Make Sauce: Combine strained tomatoes, chicken broth, and salt. Pour over stuffed onions in a baking dish.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake until onions are tender.
- Garnish: Drizzle with balsamic glaze, olive oil, and parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can customize the filling with different meats or veggies.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed onion
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg