Tennessee Onions Recipe
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
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
- 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