These sausage rolls feature juicy, browned sausages nestled in soft buns and topped generously with sweet, golden caramelized onions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is simple yet deeply flavorful, delivering the perfect balance of savory sausage and naturally sweet onions. It is a crowd-pleaser suited for casual dinners, barbecues, game days, and quick weeknight meals. The ingredients are minimal, and the preparation is effortless.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Sausages (such as bratwurst or Italian sausage)
Hot dog buns
Onions
Butter or oil
Salt
Pepper
Brown sugar (optional, for sweeter onions)
Balsamic vinegar (optional)
Directions
- Slice the onions thinly.
- Heat butter or oil in a skillet and cook onions slowly until soft and golden. Add brown sugar or balsamic vinegar if desired.
- Meanwhile, cook sausages in a pan or grill until browned and fully cooked through.
- Place each sausage into a warm bun.
- Spoon caramelized onions generously on top.
- Serve immediately.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25–30 minutes
Total time: 35–40 minutes
Variations
• Add mustard, barbecue sauce, or aioli for enhanced flavor.
• Use spicy sausages for added heat.
• Add sautéed peppers alongside the onions.
• Serve with pretzel buns for a richer texture.
Storage/Reheating
Store sausages and onions separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat sausages in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Reheat onions gently in a pan to restore texture. Assemble just before serving.
FAQs
Can I caramelize onions ahead of time?
Yes, they keep very well and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Why are my onions burning instead of caramelizing?
The heat may be too high; caramelization requires slow cooking over medium-low heat.
Can I use turkey or chicken sausages?
Yes, both work well and require the same preparation.
Should I toast the buns?
Light toasting adds structure and prevents them from becoming soggy.
Can I freeze caramelized onions?
Yes, they freeze well for up to 2 months.
How do I know when sausages are fully cooked?
They should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) and be evenly browned.
Can I cook the onions without butter?
Yes, oil works well, though butter adds richer flavor.
Can I make the onions sweeter?
Add a pinch of brown sugar during cooking.
Why are my sausages splitting?
Excessive heat or piercing them during cooking can cause splitting.
What sides pair well with this dish?
Potato salad, coleslaw, roasted potatoes, or simple green salads pair beautifully.
Conclusion
These caramelized onion sausage rolls offer a comforting combination of savory and sweet flavors in a simple, reliable recipe. Perfect for gatherings or everyday meals, they deliver satisfying taste with minimal effort.
Print
Caramelized Onion Sausage Rolls
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 12–16 rolls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Halal
Description
Savory sausage rolls filled with caramelized onions and seasoned sausage meat, wrapped in flaky puff pastry—perfect for parties, snacks, or holiday appetizers.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 lb sausage meat (pork or beef)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in brown sugar and continue cooking for 10–15 minutes until onions are caramelized. Let cool slightly.
- In a bowl, combine sausage meat with thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut it lengthwise into two long strips.
- Divide the sausage mixture between the two strips, placing it in a long log down each center.
- Top each sausage log with caramelized onions.
- Brush pastry edges with egg wash, then fold the pastry over the filling, sealing tightly.
- Cut each long roll into smaller pieces (6–8 per roll).
- Place sausage rolls seam-side down on the baking sheet. Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Notes
- Allow onions to caramelize slowly for the best flavor.
- Use store-bought or homemade puff pastry.
- Rolls can be frozen before baking and cooked from frozen—just add a few extra minutes.
- Serve with mustard or a tangy dipping sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *