Description
Tennessee Onions is a comforting baked dish featuring sweet onions seasoned with aromatic spices and layered with a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses baked to golden, bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Onions and Seasonings
- 3 large sweet onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Cheese and Butter
- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Slice and Season Onions: Peel the sweet onions and slice them into ¼-inch thick rings. Separate the rings and place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper over the onions. Gently toss to evenly coat all the onion rings with the spices.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the seasoned onions to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Distribute the small pieces of butter evenly over the top of the onions. Then, layer the shredded cheddar cheese, followed by mozzarella, and finally the Parmesan cheese evenly over the onions and butter.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes to allow the onions to cook gently and the cheese to melt.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbly, and the onions are tender.
Notes
- Use sweet onions such as Vidalia or Walla Walla for the best natural sweetness.
- Gently tossing the onions with spices ensures an even flavor without bruising the rings.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave or bake uncovered in the oven at 300ºF until warmed through to maintain texture and flavor.
- For a crispy top, broil for 1-2 minutes after the final baking step, watching carefully to prevent burning.
