Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 4 Large Onions (Vidalia or sweet yellow recommended)
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 6 slices Bacon
- 1 ½ cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 Jalapeños, diced or 2 tbsp Hot Sauce (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs (or crushed pork rinds for low-carb option)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika (optional)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil or 2 tbsp Butter (for roasting)
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Peel the large onions and carefully hollow them out, leaving the outer layers intact to keep their shape. Parboil the hollowed onions for 3–5 minutes to soften slightly while maintaining firmness for stuffing.
- Cook the Bacon and Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy. Remove and crumble into small pieces. Drain excess fat, then add ground beef to the skillet along with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and any spices like smoked paprika. Cook until beef is fully browned and combined with bacon.
- Mix the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef and bacon mixture with shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños or hot sauce, breadcrumbs, and any additional seasonings. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients and ensure a flavorful filling.
- Stuff the Onions: Fill each hollowed onion tightly with the prepared meat and cheese mixture. Top each stuffed onion with an extra sprinkle of cheddar cheese to create a golden melted crust when baked.
- Bake to Perfection: Place stuffed onions in a lightly greased baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil or dot with pats of butter on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes until onions are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Use large, firm onions like Vidalia or sweet yellow for best stuffing capacity and flavor.
- Parboil onions just enough to soften but not so much that they lose structure.
- Adjust the spice level gradually by adding jalapeños or hot sauce to taste.
- Keep the filling moist by mixing cheese with bacon fat and avoid drying out the beef.
- Let the baked onion bombs rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and filling to firm up.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed onion bomb
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Firecracker, Bacon, Cheddar, Cheeseburger, Stuffed Onion Bombs, Spicy, Appetizer, Party Snack, Game Day, Comfort Food