Ricette di Sicilia

Name: Sicilian Stuffed Onions – A Mediterranean Burst of Flavour
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Sicilian
Ingredients: 4 medium white onions; 50 g minced beef; 200 g Sicilian sausage with fennel seeds; 100 g grated Sicilian pecorino PDO; 1 egg; 50 g butter; 2 tablespoons vinegar; Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane

Oven-baked Sicilian stuffed onions with golden topping

Sicilian Stuffed Onions – A Mediterranean Burst of Flavour

Learn how to prepare Sicilian stuffed onions, a hearty and aromatic main dish filled with sausage, beef and pecorino — a true celebration of Mediterranean flavours.

Author: Vito Costa • Published on: July 6, 2022

Categories: Main courses

Tags: onions sausage beef mince pecorino black pepper eggs butter

⏱️

Prep Time

30 minutes

🔥

Cook Time

30 minutes

👥

Serve

Serves 4

📊

Difficulty

Easy

💰 Medium

🗓️ Autumn/Winter

⭐ 4.9/5

🛒 Ingredients

✓ 4 medium white onions

✓ 50 g minced beef

✓ 200 g Sicilian sausage with fennel seeds

✓ 100 g grated Sicilian pecorino PDO

✓ 1 egg

✓ 50 g butter

✓ 2 tablespoons vinegar

✓ Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed

✓ Salt, to taste

✓ Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories

390 kcal

Protein

16 g

Fat

26 g

Carbohydrates

24 g

Fiber

3 g

Sicilian stuffed onions are one of those comforting, old-style dishes that never truly leave the family table. Soft, sweet and wonderfully fragrant, the onions cradle a savoury filling of sausage, beef, pecorino and egg — a combination that’s both rustic and deeply satisfying.

It’s the perfect dish for a Sunday lunch or a cosy dinner with friends, bringing together the warm, generous flavours that define Mediterranean home cooking. Simple in preparation yet rich in personality, these stuffed onions deliver that unmistakable island charm with every bite.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

1

Peel the onions and cut them horizontally in half, leaving a border of about half a centimetre.
2

Cook them in water with vinegar and a pinch of salt for 30 minutes, until softened. Drain and allow to cool.
3

In a pan, brown the crumbled sausage and minced beef until evenly golden. Allow to cool slightly.
4

In a bowl, combine the cooked meats with the grated pecorino, egg, salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
5

Fill each onion half with the meat mixture, pressing lightly with the back of a spoon.
6

Place the stuffed onions on a baking tray greased with extra-virgin olive oil and dot each with a little butter.
7

Bake at 200°C for about 30 minutes, until golden and gratinated on top.
8

Serve hot, ideally with a light side dish such as salad or roasted potatoes.

💡 Tips and Variations

Add a handful of breadcrumbs to the filling for a firmer texture. For a vegetarian alternative, replace the meat with grilled aubergines and extra cheese.

📦 Storage

• Keep the stuffed onions in an airtight container in the fridge for 1–2 days.
• Reheat in the oven or in a pan with a splash of water to keep them soft.
• Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw slowly in the fridge before reheating.

🍷 Pairing

Enjoy these stuffed onions with a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. Its fruity, harmonious character balances the sweetness of the onions and the savoury richness of the filling.

Sicilian stuffed onions embody the soul of island cooking: simple ingredients, bold flavours and aromas that evoke tradition. A genuine and satisfying main course, perfect for bringing warmth and Mediterranean spirit to your table.