Description

Tennessee Onions are a comforting Southern-style dish featuring sweet Vidalia onions baked with a rich blend of Italian cheeses and melted butter, seasoned with garlic and oregano. This cheesy, gooey side pairs perfectly with grilled meats, burgers, or roasted vegetables, offering a flavorful, satisfying addition to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

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

Dairy

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

Seasonings

1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon oregano

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even cooking and perfect cheese melting.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Slice the Onions: Peel Vidalia onions and slice them into ¼-inch thick rounds. Keep the rings intact for better structure and presentation.
Arrange and Season the Onions: Lay the onion rounds evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, and oregano evenly to enhance flavor.
Add the Butter: Cut the butter into eight small pats and distribute them evenly over the onions to melt and coat the layers 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 sharp, savory finish.
Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden, and onions are tender. Let cool slightly before serving warm.

Notes

Use fresh Vidalia onions for natural sweetness and best flavor.
Substitute Italian blend cheese by mixing Mozzarella, Provolone, and Romano cheeses if unavailable.
Adjust salt and garlic powder to taste based on the saltiness of your cheese blend.
Watch the dish near 30 minutes and optionally broil for 2 minutes to crisp the cheese topping.
Arrange onions in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
Slicing onions to ¼ inch thickness preserves structure during baking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Reheat in a 350°F oven covered for 10-12 minutes or briefly in the microwave.
Freeze for up to one month, thaw overnight in fridge and reheat in oven.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
Calories: 310
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 420mg
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0.3g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: Tennessee onions recipe, cheesy baked onions, Vidalia onions, Southern side dish, baked onion dish, Italian cheese blend recipe