Tennessee Onions – The Cheesy Baked Side Dish Better Than Onion Rings Recipe
Tennessee Onions is a deliciously cheesy baked side dish featuring thickly sliced sweet onions layered with butter, Italian seasoning, and a blend of mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan cheeses. Baked until golden and bubbly, this dish offers a richer, more flavorful alternative to traditional onion rings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Ingredients
Onions
- Sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow), sliced ½ inch thick – 3 large onions
Seasonings and Butter
- Butter, cut into small pats – 4 tablespoons
- Italian seasoning – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
Cheeses
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – 1 cup
- Provolone cheese, sliced – 6 slices
- Grated Parmesan cheese – ½ cup
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly butter a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Onions: Place the ½ inch thick sliced sweet onions in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, ensuring even coverage.
- Season and Butter: Sprinkle salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning evenly over the onions. Dot the top with small pats of butter to add richness as it melts.
- Add Cheeses: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the onions, then layer provolone slices on top. Finish by sprinkling grated Parmesan over everything for a sharp, nutty flavor.
- Bake: Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Optional Broil: For extra crispiness, switch the oven to broil and cook the dish for an additional 2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the baked onions rest for 5 minutes to allow the dish to set slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia for the best natural sweetness.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; Italian seasoning can be complemented with garlic powder if desired.
- Broiling at the end is optional but adds a nice crunchy top layer.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- For a sharper cheese flavor, use aged Parmesan.
Keywords: Tennessee Onions, baked onions, cheesy onion side dish, baked sweet onions, cheesy side dish, onion recipe, southern side dish
