Tennessee Onions Recipe – Better Than Onion Rings! Recipe
Tennessee Onions is a delicious baked onion dish featuring whole Vidalia sweet onion rings layered with butter, seasoned with herbs and spices, and topped with a blend of Italian and cheddar cheeses. This comforting casserole provides a flavorful alternative to traditional onion rings by baking the onions to tender perfection under a golden, bubbly cheese crust, making it a perfect side dish or appetizer.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Onions
- 3–4 Vidalia sweet onions – peeled and sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds (do not separate the rings)
Seasonings & Butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter – cut into pats for even distribution
- 1 teaspoon salt – or adjust according to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – adds a subtle garlic kick
- ½ teaspoon oregano – enhances the flavor with Italian flair
Cheeses
- 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 for a touch of savory sharpness
- 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 Vidalia onions or any sweet onion variety to enhance natural sweetness and balance the savory cheese.
- Do not separate the onion rings to maintain the structure and presentation of the dish.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the salt, as cheeses can be salty.
- Ensure the baking dish is well-greased to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- This dish is best served warm to enjoy the melted, gooey cheese texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven to preserve texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (~150g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Tennessee onions, baked onions, cheese baked onions, Vidalia onions, onion casserole, southern side dish, cheese topping onions