Arrange evenly in prepared baking dish Recipe
Tennessee Onions is a flavorful baked onion dish featuring sweet onions seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, topped with rich butter and a combination of shredded mild Cheddar and smoked Gouda cheeses. This comforting Southern side dish is perfect for any occasion, boasting a tender texture and a golden cheesy crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 1/2 lb. sweet onions (about 3 large), sliced crosswise into 1/4-in.-thick slices and separated into rings
Seasonings
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp. garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Dairy
- 1/4 cup salted butter, cut into 1/4-in.-thick pieces
- 4 oz. mild Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 4 oz. smoked Gouda cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
Other
- Cooking spray, for coating the baking dish
Instructions
- Warm the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Season the onions: In a large bowl, place the sliced onion rings. Sprinkle the dried thyme, parsley flakes, garlic salt, dried oregano, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper over the onions. Toss gently to evenly coat each onion ring with the seasoning mix.
- Add to baking dish: Spread the seasoned onion rings evenly in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are arranged uniformly for consistent cooking.
- Add toppings and bake: Distribute the salted butter pieces evenly over the onions. Sprinkle the shredded mild Cheddar and smoked Gouda cheeses evenly on top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, until the onions are soft and the sides are bubbly.
- Finish baking: Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking at 350°F for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cheese topping turns golden brown and slightly crisp.
Notes
- For best results, use sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla for natural sweetness and tenderness.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to your heat preference or omit for a milder flavor.
- You can substitute smoked Gouda with another smoky cheese such as smoked mozzarella if unavailable.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure the garlic salt and butter are vegetarian-friendly substitutes if necessary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
