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Tennessee Onions Recipe

4.6 from 146 reviews

Tennessee Onions is a flavorful baked side dish featuring sweet onions layered with a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Perfectly baked until golden and bubbly, this dish offers a comforting and savory complement to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Onions

  • 3 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia), sliced into ½-inch rings

Cheese Blend

  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Butter

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the onions don’t stick during baking.
  2. Prepare Onion Layer: Arrange the sliced sweet onions in an even layer in the baking dish, carefully separating the rings for even cooking.
  3. Add Seasonings and Butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the onions, then sprinkle the garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to infuse the dish with flavor.
  4. Top with Cheese: Evenly spread the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and grated Parmesan over the onion layer for a rich, cheesy topping.
  5. Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes to gently cook the onions and melt the cheeses without burning.
  6. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly cheese crust on top.
  7. Cool and Serve: Let the dish cool slightly before serving to allow it to set and enhance the flavors. Serve warm as a delicious side dish.

Notes

  • You can substitute sweet onions with yellow onions if preferred, though sweetness adds to the flavor.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the other seasonings.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or as part of a hearty Southern-style meal.
  • Ensure to slice onions evenly for uniform baking and flavor distribution.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Tennessee onions, baked onion casserole, cheesy onions, Southern side dish, baked cheese and onions