May 17th Baked Sausages - Easy and Cheesy Favorite - Perfect for Celebrations

Sausages in bread are a staple of many Norwegian celebrations, especially on May 17th. This variation builds on the classic serving by baking the sausages with cheese in the oven. Baked sausages come in various forms internationally, but the combination of grilled sausages, raw onions, and melted cheese gives the dish a distinctly Norwegian May 17th feel.

Ingredients:

4 grilled sausages
4 sausage buns
1 small yellow onion
150 g grated cheese
1 tbsp butter or oil for frying
1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Optional toppings: ketchup, mustard, or crispy onions

Instructions (mise en place):

Mise en place: Finely chop the onion, grate the cheese if it is not pre-grated, find a baking dish, and preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius with both top and bottom heat.
Heat a 24 cm frying pan over medium-high heat.
Fry the grilled sausages until they are nicely browned on all sides.
Place some finely chopped raw onion at the bottom of each sausage bun.
Put the hot sausages into the buns.
Arrange the sausage buns closely side by side in a baking dish.
Sprinkle a generous layer of grated cheese over all the sausages.
Place the dish in the middle of the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Remove the dish and let it rest for 1 minute before serving.
Feel free to top with ketchup, mustard, or crispy onions.

Flavor Profile:

Juicy grilled sausage with sweetness from the raw onion and rich melted cheese. Crispy sausage bun edges and creamy baked topping provide a rich and comforting flavor.

Glass Type or Serving Suggestions:

Serve directly from the baking dish.
Perfect for May 17th celebrations, children's birthdays, or a simple cozy dinner.
Can be served with potato salad or fries on the side.

Sausages in bread are almost mandatory on May 17th in Norway. They are simple, quick, and suitable for both children and adults. But sometimes, it takes very little to elevate a classic to something that feels entirely new. This baked variation does just that.

The base is still the traditional grilled sausage. The difference lies in how the dish is constructed and finished in the oven. When the sausage buns are placed closely together in a baking dish and topped with cheese, you get a combination of crispy edges, soft insides, and golden topping.

The raw onion plays an important role. Many associate raw onion with classic sausage in bread, but here it takes on an extra function. When it sits under the hot sausage, it softens slightly while still retaining some crunch. This provides a contrast to the melted cheese.

Frying the sausages before baking is also important. It adds caramelization and extra flavor that is not achieved if the sausages are only heated in the oven. A well-fried grilled sausage provides more depth and better texture.

The cheese acts as glue between the sausage buns and creates almost a small gratin feel. You can use regular cheese, but cheddar or mozzarella also work well if you want more stretch or a stronger flavor.

A major advantage of this dish is how easy it is to make for many people. You can fill a large baking dish with sausages and bake everything at once. This makes the dish perfect for May 17th, children's birthdays, or casual gatherings.

The sausage buns also take on a new character in the oven. The edges become slightly crispy, while the inside remains soft from the steam and cheese. This contrast makes the dish more exciting than traditional serving.

If you want to take the dish even further, you can add jalapeños, bacon, or chili sauce. But often, it is the simplicity that makes this dish so successful.

This is comfort food at its best. It combines nostalgia, easy preparation, and big flavors all in one dish.