Description

Tennessee Onions is a comforting baked dish featuring sweet Vidalia onions layered with a flavorful blend of Italian cheeses and cheddar, seasoned with garlic powder and oregano, and enriched by melting butter. Perfect as a side dish or a savory treat, this recipe combines tender, caramelized onions with a golden, bubbly cheese topping for a deliciously satisfying experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

3–4 Vidalia sweet onions – peeled and sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds (do not separate the rings)

Seasonings

1 teaspoon salt – or adjust according to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon oregano

Dairy

4 tablespoons unsalted butter – cut into pats for even distribution
1 cup Italian blend cheese, finely shredded (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Provolone)
1 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even cooking and perfect melting of the cheeses.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Slice the Onions: Peel the Vidalia onions and slice them into ¼-inch thick rounds, keeping the rings intact for structure and presentation.
Arrange and Season Onions: Lay the onion rounds evenly in the baking dish, then sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and oregano for balanced, enhanced flavor.
Add the Butter: Cut the butter into eight pats and distribute evenly across the onion slices to melt and enrich the dish during baking.
Layer on the Cheese: Sprinkle the Italian blend cheese and cheddar cheese evenly over the onions, then top with Parmesan cheese for a savory, nutty finish.
Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes until the cheese is golden, bubbly, and the onions are tender. Remove, let cool briefly, then serve warm.

Notes

Use Fresh Vidalia Onions: They bring a natural sweetness that is perfect for this dish.
Customize the Cheese Blend: If Italian blend cheese is unavailable, combine Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and Provolone to replicate the flavors.
Adjust Seasonings: Feel free to increase or decrease garlic powder and oregano to suit your personal taste.
Serve Warm: This dish is best enjoyed freshly baked and warm to fully appreciate the melted cheese and tender onions.
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 250 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 10 g
Cholesterol: 35 mg

Keywords: Tennessee Onions, baked onions, Vidalia onions recipe, cheesy onion bake, Southern side dish, comfort food