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Tennessee Onions

An incredibly easy and addictive Southern side dish featuring layers of sweet onions, three cheeses, and a savory butter sauce, baked to golden perfection.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 245

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3 large sweet onions (Vidalia) about 2.5-3 lbs, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Cheese Toppings
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup French-fried onions
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x9 inch baking dish
  • Sharp Knife & Cutting Board
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Cheese Grater

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x9-inch or 2-quart baking dish.
  2. Peel the onions and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds, trying to keep the rings intact.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  4. Place a single layer of the sliced onions in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the onions. Drizzle half of the butter sauce over the cheese.
  6. Add the remaining sliced onions in a second layer. Top with the remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and drizzle with the rest of the butter sauce.
  7. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil, sprinkle the French-fried onions over the top, and bake uncovered for 15-20 more minutes, until golden and bubbly.
  10. Let rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For the best results, use sweet onions like Vidalia. The casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking if cold.