French Onions on a Half Shell

Elevate your side dish game with **French Onions on a Half Shell**, a stunning combination of rustic flavor and gourmet presentation. This recipe features tender yellow onions hollowed out to create a natural "half shell," then filled with a savory mixture of caramelized onion, garlic, fresh thyme, and a splash of dry white wine. Topped with crispy panko bread crumbs and melty Parmesan cheese, each onion half is roasted to golden perfection. With just the right balance of sweetness, crunch, and umami, this elegant dish works beautifully as a unique appetizer, an unforgettable side, or even a vegetarian main. Perfect for dinner parties or holiday feasts, this recipe impresses without overwhelming the cook. Keywords: baked onions, French onion recipe, savory stuffed onions, gourmet side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 units large yellow onions
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 2 units garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 cup dry white wine
• 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cut each onion in half lengthwise, keeping the root intact to hold the layers together. Peel off the outer skin and trim the stem end slightly.

Step 3

Using a small knife, carefully hollow out the center of each onion, leaving about three layers intact along the edges. Finely chop the removed onion centers and set them aside.

Step 4

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the chopped onion centers and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and starting to caramelize.

Step 5

Add the garlic and thyme to the skillet, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant. Stir in the white wine and cook until the liquid is almost fully evaporated.

Step 6

Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and fold in the panko bread crumbs and half of the Parmesan cheese.

Step 7

Place the hollowed-out onion halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up, and season them lightly with salt and pepper.

Step 8

Fill each onion half with the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to pack it in.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top of each filled onion.

Step 10

Bake the onions in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the onions are tender and the tops are golden brown.

Step 11

Garnish with chopped parsley before serving warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	788.8 grams (788.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	931

Total Fat 47.70g	61%
Saturated Fat 20.80g	104%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 82mg	27%
Sodium 1080mg	47%
Total Carbohydrate 99.50g	36%
Dietary Fiber 13.50g	48%
Total Sugars 27.80g
Protein 23.50g	47%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 513mg	39%
Iron 4mg	23%
Potassium 1107mg	24%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.6%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 43.2%