Introduction

Tennessee Onions are a cheesy, savory baked side dish featuring sweet onion rings layered with a blend of three cheeses and seasoned butter. This comforting recipe is perfect for enhancing any meal with rich flavors and a satisfying texture.

The image shows several thick onion rings, each with two to three layers, fried to a golden brown with a crispy, textured outer crust, and positioned standing upright inside a white rectangular dish. The rings have a shiny, slightly oily surface, with some darker brown crispy edges and a soft translucent light yellow interior. Small bits of green herbs are sprinkled over the rings and the light oil pool at the base of the dish. The dish is set against a white marbled surface. 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 so they cook evenly.
Step 3: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the onions. Sprinkle garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper evenly across the top.
Step 4: Spread the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the onions.
Step 5: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Step 6: Let the dish cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Tennessee Onions as a flavorful side dish.

Tips & Variations

Use sweet onions like Vidalia for the best natural sweetness, but yellow onions can be used if needed.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a few dashes of hot sauce before baking.
Try mixing in crispy bacon bits with the cheese topping for a smoky twist.

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 maintain the cheese’s melt and texture.

How to Serve

A white rectangular plate holds eight golden-brown, crispy onion rings arranged neatly, each onion ring showing clear layers from light yellow on the outer edges to deeper caramelized brown towards the center. The onion rings have a crunchy texture with small bits of seasoning visible on the surface, garnished with tiny green herb leaves scattered evenly. A shiny layer of melted butter or oil pools lightly around the base of the rings, adding gloss and richness to the dish. The plate is set against a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Tennessee Onions ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dish up to step 4, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. Bake it fresh when ready, adding the foil and baking times as directed.

Can I use other types of cheese?

Absolutely. Feel free to substitute cheeses like mozzarella or Gouda based on your preference. Just choose a good melting cheese for the best results.

Tennessee Onions Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 110 reviews

Tennessee Onions is a flavorful baked side dish featuring sweet Vidalia onions layered with a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Baked until bubbly and golden, this comforting dish pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses.

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

Ingredients

Scale

Onions

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

Cheese

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

Seasonings and 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 prepare it for the onions.
Arrange Onions: Place the sliced sweet onion rings evenly in the baking dish, separating the rings so they lay flat and cook uniformly.
Add Butter and Seasoning: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the onions. Then sprinkle the garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper evenly on top to season the dish.
Add Cheese Toppings: Evenly distribute the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and grated Parmesan cheeses over the onion layers, covering them thoroughly.
Initial Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes to allow the onions to soften and the cheese to melt evenly.
Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbly.
Cool and Serve: Let the dish cool slightly before serving to allow the cheese to set a bit. Enjoy this cheesy, savory Tennessee Onion side dish!

Notes

Use sweet onions like Vidalia for best flavor and natural sweetness.
Separate onion rings well to ensure even cooking and cheese coverage.
Covering with foil in the first baking phase prevents cheese from burning while onions soften.
Letting the dish rest after baking helps the cheese firm up slightly for easier serving.
You can substitute other mild cheeses if desired, but the combination here offers a great balance of flavor and meltiness.

Keywords: Tennessee Onions, baked onions, cheesy onion side dish, Vidalia onion recipe, southern side dish