Description
A deliciously rich and savory Tennessee Onions recipe featuring sweet Vidalia onions baked under a luscious blend of Italian and cheddar cheeses, enhanced with butter and aromatic seasonings. Perfect as a comforting side dish or a flavorful addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3–4 Vidalia sweet onions – peeled and sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds (do not separate the rings)
Dairy
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter – cut into pats for even distribution
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese, finely shredded (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and Provolone)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt – or adjust according to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures that your onions cook evenly and the cheeses melt into a perfect, golden-brown topping.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. This will help the onions and cheese bake without burning or sticking to the dish.
- Slice the Onions: Peel the Vidalia sweet onions and slice them into rounds about ¼ inch thick. Don’t separate the rings—keeping them together gives the dish more structure and an appealing presentation.
- Arrange and Season the Onions: Lay the onion rounds evenly across the base of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and oregano for a well-balanced flavor that complements the sweetness of the onions.
- Add the Butter: Cut the butter into eight pats and place them evenly across the onion rounds. The butter will melt as it bakes, coating the onions in a rich, delicious layer.
- Layer on the Cheese: Sprinkle the Italian blend cheese and cheddar cheese evenly over the onions. Finish by topping it all with a final layer of Parmesan cheese for a savory, nutty finish.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly, and the onions are tender. Remove from the oven, let cool for a minute, and serve warm!
Notes
- Use Fresh Vidalia Onions: Vidalia onions bring a natural sweetness to the dish, making them the ideal choice.
- Customize the Cheese Blend: If you can’t find an Italian blend, mix Mozzarella, Provolone, and Romano cheeses for similar results.
- Seasoning Tip: Adjust the salt and garlic powder to your preference, especially if you’re using a saltier cheese.
- Watch for Bubbling Cheese: Keep an eye on the dish around the 30-minute mark. For extra crispness, you can broil the top for the last 2 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: Tennessee Onions, baked onions, Vidalia onions recipe, cheesy onion bake, southern side dish, baked cheese onions
