Name: Tennessee Onions Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia), sliced into ½-inch rings; 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Introduction

Tennessee Onions are a cheesy, flavorful baked side dish featuring sweet onion rings smothered in a blend of sharp and creamy cheeses. This warm, comforting recipe is perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings.

The image shows several golden brown fried onion rings arranged closely on a white rectangular dish. Each onion ring is made of multiple thin layers of translucent yellow-brown onion, fried to a crisp texture with darker browned edges and small bits of crunchy coating on the surface. The rings sit in a shallow pool of light brown oil or sauce and are topped with small pieces of finely chopped green herbs evenly sprinkled across all rings. The photo has a soft focus on some rings in the front while the others blur gently into the background, with a white marbled texture surface barely visible underneath the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia), sliced into ½-inch rings
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Arrange the sliced onions in an even layer in the prepared baking dish, separating the rings.
Step 3: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the onions. Sprinkle with garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4: Top the onions with shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses, spreading them evenly.
Step 5: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Step 6: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Tennessee Onions as a delicious side dish!

Tips & Variations

For a crispy top, broil the dish for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Swap out the thyme for rosemary or sage for a different herbal flavor.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky kick.
Use a mix of cheeses you prefer or have on hand, such as Gruyère or mozzarella, to customize the taste.

Storage

Store leftover Tennessee Onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to keep the cheese melty and delicious.

How to Serve

A close-up of several golden-brown fried onion rings, each with two to three visible layers showing crisp, textured edges with small browned bits. The rings sit on a shallow pool of light golden oil in a white rectangular dish. The onion layers inside show a shiny, slightly translucent, soft texture. Light green parsley pieces are scattered on top and around the rings, adding a fresh touch. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare Tennessee Onions ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the dish a few hours before baking. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake when ready.

What type of onions work best for this recipe?

Sweet onions like Vidalia are ideal for this recipe because of their mild flavor and natural sweetness that balances the cheese perfectly.

Tennessee Onions Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 144 reviews

Tennessee Onions is a rich and flavorful baked side dish featuring sweet onions smothered in a blend of melted butter, garlic, thyme, and three kinds of cheeses: cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan. This savory dish combines the natural sweetness of Vidalia onions with aromatic herbs and a golden, bubbly cheese topping for an irresistible accompaniment to any meal.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Onions

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

Cheeses

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

Seasonings & Butter

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

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Prepare Onions: Arrange the sliced onion rings in an even layer in the prepared baking dish, making sure to separate the rings for even cooking.
Add Seasonings: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the onions. Then sprinkle garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper evenly across the top for balanced flavor.
Top with Cheese: Evenly distribute the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses over the seasoned onions, creating a generous cheese layer.
Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. This steams and softens the onions under the cheese layer.
Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly, adding a deliciously crisp texture.
Cool and Serve: Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy Tennessee Onions as a comforting, cheesy side dish perfect for any occasion.

Notes

Use sweet onions like Vidalia for best flavor and natural sweetness.
Separating the onion rings ensures even cooking and prevents clumping.
Adjust the seasoning amounts based on your taste preference.
Covering the dish initially helps melt the cheese thoroughly and softens the onions.
For a sharper cheese flavor, substitute any cheese with your preferred variety like smoked Gouda or mozzarella.
Serve warm to best enjoy the gooey cheese and tender onions.

Keywords: Tennessee Onions, baked onions, cheesy onions, Vidalia onions, side dish, comfort food, American recipe, onion rings, baked cheese onion