Description
Tennessee Onions is a warm, comforting baked dish featuring sweet Vidalia onions layered with a flavorful blend of Italian cheeses, cheddar, and Parmesan. Butter, garlic powder, oregano, and salt enhance the natural sweetness of the onions, making this side dish perfect for any Southern-inspired meal or a delicious vegetarian option.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3–4 Vidalia sweet onions – peeled and sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds (do not separate the rings)
Dairy & Cheese
- 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
Spices & 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: Now it’s time to add 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, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and Provolone cheeses in equal parts for similar flavor.
- Adjust Seasonings: Feel free to modify the amount of garlic powder and oregano to taste.
- Slicing: Keep onion rings intact to maintain the dish’s structure and appealing look.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve warm as a side dish with roasted meats or grilled vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (~150g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Tennessee onions, baked onions, Vidalia onions recipe, cheesy baked onions, Southern side dish, vegetarian side dish
