Description
Cheesy Stuffed Mozzarella Onion is a delicious and easy-to-make baked appetizer featuring a large sweet onion hollowed out and filled with a creamy blend of mozzarella, cream cheese, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and fresh herbs, baked to a bubbly, golden perfection. This savory dish makes a perfect starter or side for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking the stuffed onion evenly.
- Prepare the Onion: Cut the top off the large sweet onion and carefully scoop out the center to create a hollow shell, leaving about half an inch of onion on the sides and bottom to maintain structure. Chop the removed onion pieces finely and set aside for the filling mixture.
- Make the Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella, softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, chopped onion pieces, chopped fresh parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined and creamy.
- Stuff the Onion: Drizzle the hollowed onion interior with olive oil to add moisture and flavor. Then, fill the cavity with the prepared cheese mixture, pressing down gently to pack it in securely.
- Bake Covered: Place the stuffed onion in a baking dish and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to cook the onion and meld the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese topping is bubbly, golden, and the onion is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Serve: Allow the stuffed onion to cool for a few minutes after baking to set. Slice into wedges and serve warm as a delicious appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- Use a sweet onion like Vidalia for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the filling and add a slight crunch to the texture.
- For a crispier top, you can broil the onion for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: stuffed onion, baked appetizer, mozzarella, cream cheese, cheesy onion recipe, vegetarian appetizer
