Tennessee Onions, a perfect blend of sweet Vidalia onions, melted cheeses, and a touch of seasoning. This recipe is ideal for gatherings or as a side dish for your family dinner.
If you’re looking for a simple yet incredibly flavorful side dish, these Tennessee Onions will hit the spot. Made with sweet Vidalia onions, layered with butter, and topped with a generous helping of three different cheeses, this dish combines rich, savory flavors with a subtle sweetness from the onions. Whether you’re making this for a family gathering or as an easy weeknight side, it’s bound to become a favorite!
Why You’ll Love Tennessee Onions
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses just a handful of everyday ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
- Quick Preparation: With minimal prep and easy steps, this dish is ready in under an hour.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of butter, herbs, and three types of cheese creates an irresistible flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet onions.
- Versatile Side Dish: It works wonderfully alongside roasted meats, barbecue, or even a casual grilled meal.
For more Onion dish, try our CHEDDAR & BACON STUFFED ONIONS .
Tennessee Onions
Ingredients
- 3-4 Vidalia sweet onions – These onions are known for their natural sweetness, which caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds richness and depth to the dish.
- 1 teaspoon salt – Adjust to taste, depending on how salty your cheese blend is.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – Provides a savory undertone without overpowering the sweetness of the onions.
- ½ teaspoon oregano – Adds a subtle herb flavor to complement the onions and cheese.
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese, finely shredded – This cheese mix typically contains mozzarella, Parmesan, and other cheeses that melt beautifully.
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded – Sharp cheddar adds a bold, tangy flavor.
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded – Parmesan helps to create a golden, crispy top layer.
How to Make Tennessee Onions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Step 2: Slice the Onions
Take 3-4 Vidalia sweet onions, peel them, and slice them into ¼-inch thick rounds. Carefully separate the rounds into individual onion rings. These rings will form the base layer of your dish.
Step 3: Season the Onions
Spread the onion rings evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, and oregano evenly over the onions. These seasonings will enhance the natural sweetness of the Vidalia onions.
Step 4: Add Butter
Slice the unsalted butter into roughly eight pats and scatter them across the onion rings. As the dish bakes, the butter will melt, creating a rich and flavorful base for the cheese to meld into.
Step 5: Layer the Cheeses
Now for the best part—cheese! Sprinkle 1 cup of Italian blend cheese and 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly across the onions. Finish with a ½ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese on top to give the dish a crispy, golden finish.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling. If you prefer a crispier top, you can broil the dish for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
Step 7: Serve Hot
Remove the Tennessee Onions from the oven and serve them promptly. This dish is best enjoyed warm, with the cheese perfectly melted and the onions tender but still retaining a bit of bite.
Tips for Perfect Tennessee Onions
- Onion Choices: Vidalia onions are recommended for this recipe because of their sweetness, but if you can’t find them, any sweet onion variety will work.
- Customizable Cheeses: While the recipe calls for a mix of Italian blend, cheddar, and Parmesan, feel free to experiment with your favorite cheeses. Gruyère or provolone would also taste fantastic!
- Make It a Main: Want to turn this into a hearty main dish? Add some crumbled bacon or cooked sausage before layering on the cheese.
Tennessee Onions
FAQ about Tennessee Onions
Can I make Tennessee Onions ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just be sure to bake it fresh right before serving to get that bubbly, golden cheese topping.
Can I use other types of onions?
While Vidalia onions are recommended for their sweetness, you can substitute them with yellow onions or other sweet varieties if needed. Just keep in mind that regular onions may not have the same naturally sweet flavor.
How can I make this dish healthier?
If you’re looking to lighten it up, you can reduce the amount of butter or use a reduced-fat cheese. However, the richness of the butter and cheese is what makes this dish so indulgent and flavorful.
What can I serve with Tennessee Onions?
This dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats, barbecued chicken, or even as a topping for burgers. You can also serve it alongside classic sides like LEMON & FETA ROASTED POTATOES .
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Tennessee Onions
Experience the perfect blend of sweet onions and savory cheeses with this Tennessee Onions recipe. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- - 3-4 Vidalia sweet onions
- - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- - 1 teaspoon salt (adjust according to preference)
- - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- - 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- - 1 cup Italian blend cheese, finely shredded
- - 1 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- - 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Clean and peel the Vidalia sweet onions. Slice them into rounds approximately ¼ inch thick and separate the rounds into individual onion rings.
4. Spread the separated onion rings evenly across the base of the prepared baking dish.
5. Season the onion rings with salt, garlic powder, and oregano.
6. Cut the butter into roughly eight even portions or pats. Distribute these butter pats evenly across the seasoned onion rings in the baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the Italian blend cheese and cheddar cheese evenly over the onion rings. Finish with a final topping of shredded Parmesan cheese.
8. Place the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cheese is browned and bubbling.
9. For optimal taste, serve the dish promptly while it remains warm.
Notes
Approximate Nutrition Information for Tennessee Onions
- Calories: 250 kcal per serving
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 700mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 12g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 10g