Onion Parm Is The Creative Solution For Leftover Onion Rings

The idea of turning something into a "Parm" is simple: Just add marinara and mozzarella. Whether it's eggplant, chicken, or veal, the breading is optional but recommended, unless you're looking to create a lighter version of the classic. With that said, it's no secret that making a Parm-style meal can get a bit messy. There should be separate bowls for the flour, eggs, and breading, plus plenty of oil to fry up whatever you've chosen as the base of the dish. Once you get past this part, it's easy to just add some cheese and sauce, then bake it for a bit.

If only there were a way to eliminate that arduous method of dredging it in flour, dipping it in the egg, then coating it in breadcrumbs before frying it in oil. Enter a simple bag of frozen onion rings. Or, if you already have leftover homemade onion rings from last night's dinner, you can turn them into a Parm-style dish. The hardest part is already done for you!

Pre-made onion rings are one of those frozen foods that actually taste close to the homemade version. There isn't much to an onion ring after all. Some breading, an onion, and a few seasonings are all it takes to get that restaurant-style flavor, which is why there is no harm in buying the frozen version. If you happen to have a package of these in the freezer, or perhaps you opted to take home the leftover onion rings after going out to dinner but aren't sure what to do with them, then you need to try making onion ring parm.

To make the onion ring parm as filling as possible, consider turning it into a parm sandwich. Lifehacker suggests toasting up a sub roll, then adding a layer of hot onion rings, a layer of marinara sauce, and a layer of mozzarella (we suggest measuring it with your heart). Top it off with a layer of grated Parmesan, and broil the whole thing in the oven just until the cheese is fully melted and starts to get a bit crispy. Before you know it, you have a tasty vegetarian-friendly meal.

Onion rings are just one of many alternatives that stray from the normal options of eggplant, chicken, or veal. Any vegetable that can be fried is essentially fair game when it comes to creating a parm version. Fried asparagus or zucchini both make for strong vegetarian alternatives, and both can be purchased pre-made. Don't be afraid to try fried okra as well.

If you're feeding a crowd, ditch the sub rolls in favor of slider rolls. Add onion rings, a few zucchini crisps, or whatever you're heart desires, to the center of the slider roll, then a spoonful of marinara and a heaping portion of mozzarella and Parmesan; broil the sliders the same way you would the subs. For a pull-apart experience, don't detach the slider rolls before topping and broiling them; let guests pull the rolls apart, and watch that melted mozzarella stretch.