Description
These Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Onion Bombs with Cheesy Beef are an irresistible combination of juicy seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, sweet onion, and crispy bacon. Large onion layers are stuffed with a flavorful cheesy beef mixture, wrapped in smoky bacon, and baked until the bacon is golden and the filling is perfectly cooked. Every bite delivers a delicious mix of savory beef, gooey cheese, caramelized onion, and crispy bacon. They’re perfect for a hearty family dinner, game-day appetizer, or weekend comfort-food treat.
🧾 Ingredients
For the Onion Bombs
- 2 large yellow or sweet onions
- 1½ lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 12–16 slices bacon
For the Glaze
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel the onions and cut off the top and bottom. Carefully separate them into large individual layers, keeping the layers as intact as possible.
- Make the beef filling: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cheddar, mozzarella, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Stuff the onions: Take two onion layers of similar size. Pack some of the cheesy beef mixture between them, forming a round stuffed onion ball. Repeat until all the beef mixture is used.
- Wrap with bacon: Wrap each stuffed onion bomb with bacon, overlapping the slices slightly so the filling stays enclosed. Secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika.
- Bake: Arrange the onion bombs on a lined baking sheet or in a baking dish. Brush generously with the glaze and bake for 45–60 minutes, turning or brushing with additional glaze halfway through.
- Crisp the bacon: For extra-crispy bacon, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) during the final 5–10 minutes, watching carefully.
- Check the beef: The center should reach 160°F (71°C). Remove from the oven and let the onion bombs rest for 5–10 minutes.
- Serve: Carefully remove toothpicks and serve hot with extra barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- Choose large onions so you have enough outer layers to create sturdy shells.
- Don’t overstuff the onion layers; the beef expands slightly while cooking.
- Use thin-cut bacon if you want it to crisp more easily.
- For an extra cheesy center, place a small cube of cheddar or mozzarella in the middle of each beef portion.
- Let the cooked onion bombs rest before cutting so the melted cheese stays inside.
- A meat thermometer is the easiest way to confirm the beef is fully cooked.
🍽️ What to Serve With Them
These hearty onion bombs pair beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, or a crisp green salad.
🥗 Approximate Nutrition
Per serving (1 of 6): ~510 calories | Protein: 31g | Carbohydrates: 13g | Fat: 37g | Fiber: 2g
