French Onion Sausage Rolls offer a gourmet twist on the classic sausage roll, combining the savory flavors of French onion soup with seasoned pork mince wrapped in flaky puff pastry. With added Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and a variety of optional herbs, these rolls create a rich, delicious filling encased in golden pastry. They’re perfect for entertaining or as a satisfying snack.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 kg pork mince

• 35g salt-reduced French onion soup mix

• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• Puff pastry sheets

• Egg wash (1 egg whisked with a little water or milk)

Optional ingredients:

• Smoked bacon

• Thyme

• Sage

• Garlic

• Onions

• Celery

• Fennel seeds

• Panko breadcrumbs

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (180°C) or 400°F (205°C) for a crisper pastry. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Cook the base ingredients: Sauté onions, garlic, celery, and bacon (if using) until softened and caramelized. Let them cool.

3. Mix the filling: In a large bowl, combine pork mince, French onion soup mix, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and any optional herbs or ingredients like thyme or breadcrumbs. Mix well to combine.

4. Prepare the pastry: Lay the puff pastry sheets on a flat surface. Brush a thin layer of egg wash on the surface.

5. Shape the rolls: Place the sausage filling in a log shape along the center of the pastry. Roll the pastry over the filling, sealing with egg wash and crimping the edges.

6. Cut and bake: Cut the roll into desired lengths, brush the tops with more egg wash, and place on the lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-40 minutes, depending on roll size, until golden brown. Rotate halfway for even baking.

7. Cool and serve: Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving with tomato relish or mustard.

Nutrients

• Calories: Approximately 200-300 per roll

• Protein: 6-10g

• Fat: 15-20g

• Carbohydrates: 20-30g

Why French Onion Sausage Rolls Work So Well

What makes French Onion Sausage Rolls so appealing is their combination of familiar flavors with a few creative twists. The sweetness of caramelized onions and the rich, savory taste of French onion soup mix meld perfectly with the pork mince. The Worcestershire sauce and ketchup enhance the flavor further, providing a slight tang and sweetness that balances the richness of the sausage. The optional ingredients—such as smoked bacon, herbs like thyme or sage, and fennel seeds—can elevate the flavor profile even more, giving the filling complexity and depth.

Encasing this flavorful filling in buttery, flaky puff pastry creates a satisfying texture contrast—crispy on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside. Whether you’re preparing them for a party platter, a casual dinner, or a comforting snack, French Onion Sausage Rolls are guaranteed to become a crowd favorite.

The Pork Mince: Rich and Flavorful Base

The pork mince serves as the foundation of these sausage rolls, offering a rich and tender filling. Pork is a fantastic base for these rolls due to its natural flavor and fat content, which help keep the filling moist and flavorful during baking. The French onion soup mix brings a savory, aromatic quality to the pork mince, infusing it with the familiar onion flavor of a classic French onion soup.

Adding Worcestershire sauce and tomato ketchup to the mix enhances the depth of the flavor, giving it a slightly tangy and sweet note that pairs perfectly with the pork. The pork mince ensures the filling has enough body to hold together when wrapped in pastry, while still being juicy and tender after baking.

The Caramelized Onion Base: Sweet and Savory

One of the signature elements of French Onion Sausage Rolls is the caramelized onions. When sautéed with garlic, celery, and optional smoked bacon, these vegetables soften and develop a sweet, savory richness that contrasts beautifully with the pork filling. The caramelization process enhances the natural sugars in the onions, adding a rich depth of flavor to the sausage rolls.

The addition of garlic and celery brings even more savory complexity, while the bacon (if used) provides a smoky, salty flavor that complements the sweetness of the onions and rounds out the overall filling. Sautéing these ingredients until they’re soft and caramelized creates a flavorful base that is rich but not overpowering.

Optional Ingredients: Customizing the Flavor

French Onion Sausage Rolls are highly adaptable, allowing you to play with the flavors based on personal preferences or what you have available. Some optional ingredients that can elevate the filling include:

• Thyme or Sage: Both of these herbs add an earthy, aromatic quality that pairs wonderfully with the pork and onions.

• Garlic: For those who love garlic, adding extra garlic to the caramelized onions or mixing it into the filling can create an extra depth of flavor.

• Smoked Bacon: If you’re a fan of smoky flavors, the addition of chopped bacon to the filling will give the sausage rolls an extra savory kick.

• Fennel Seeds: A small pinch of fennel seeds adds a subtle, slightly sweet flavor that can bring complexity to the dish.

• Breadcrumbs: Adding panko breadcrumbs to the filling helps bind everything together and provides extra texture.

These optional ingredients give you the flexibility to tailor the sausage rolls to your taste and ensure they match your preferred flavor profile.

Preparing the Puff Pastry: The Perfect Wrap

The puff pastry serves as the perfect wrapper for these sausage rolls, offering a flaky, buttery texture that contrasts beautifully with the savory filling. Pre-rolled puff pastry is a time-saver and ensures that the rolls bake evenly with a golden, crispy finish. If you have the time and prefer to make your own puff pastry, that’s a great option too.

Once the filling is mixed and ready, you’ll roll out the puff pastry sheets and brush them with egg wash, which will help them bake to a golden brown color. The egg wash also helps seal the pastry around the filling to prevent any leakage while baking. After filling the pastry with the sausage mixture, simply roll the dough around it and cut it into individual rolls. The result is perfectly shaped, portable sausage rolls with a crisp, golden crust.

Baking the Sausage Rolls: Golden and Crispy

Baking the sausage rolls at 350°F (180°C) or 400°F (205°C) ensures a crisp pastry and a well-cooked filling. The baking time depends on the size of your rolls—larger rolls may take up to 40 minutes to bake, while smaller ones will cook in around 20-25 minutes. The key is to bake the rolls until the pastry is golden and puffed up, and the filling reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring they’re cooked through.

To ensure even baking, it’s helpful to rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. This will allow the rolls to bake evenly on all sides, ensuring that they become perfectly golden brown and crispy.

Serving Suggestions

French Onion Sausage Rolls are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. They’re perfect on their own as a snack or appetizer, but they can also be served as part of a larger meal. For a more substantial meal, serve them with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables on the side. The rolls pair wonderfully with a tangy dipping sauce, such as mustard, barbecue sauce, or even a tomato relish for extra flavor.

If you’re serving them for a casual gathering or potluck, consider offering a variety of dips to go along with the sausage rolls, such as aioli, spicy ketchup, or a simple yogurt-based dip.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each French Onion Sausage Roll contains approximately 200-300 calories, making them a satisfying but not overly indulgent treat. The protein content (6-10g per roll) is substantial, thanks to the pork mince, making them a good source of lean protein. The 15-20g of fat, including 7g of saturated fat, is primarily from the pastry and pork, contributing to the rich, indulgent texture.

The carbohydrates (20-30g) come from the puff pastry, while the rolls also provide a small amount of fiber (1g). With 5-10g of sugar per roll, these sausage rolls have a touch of sweetness from the caramelized onions and other ingredients, but they aren’t overly sweet.

Conclusion: A Savory Snack or Meal

In conclusion, French Onion Sausage Rolls offer a delicious twist on the traditional sausage roll, combining savory pork mince with the rich flavors of French onion soup. The caramelized onions, optional herbs, and golden puff pastry create a flavorful and satisfying snack or meal that’s perfect for entertaining or as a comforting treat. Whether you serve them as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, these gourmet sausage rolls are sure to be a hit at any gathering or meal.