Description
Creamy Tennessee Onion Bake combines sweet caramelized onions with rich cheese in a comforting Southern-style casserole. Hearty side dishes like this welcome guests to savor warm, cheesy goodness you’ll crave at family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 Vidalia sweet onions (peeled and sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds)
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 oz) Italian blend cheese (finely shredded)
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 oz) cheddar cheese (finely shredded)
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 oz) Parmesan cheese (finely shredded)
- 4 tbsps (60 ml / 2 fl oz) unsalted butter (cut into small pats)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning rack in the center for optimal heat distribution.
- Setup: Spray a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Onion Arrangement: Peel and slice Vidalia onions into uniform ¼-inch (0.6 centimeters) rounds, carefully layering them evenly across the dish to create a consistent base.
- Seasoning and Flavor Enhancement: Dot the onion surface with butter pats, then sprinkle salt, garlic powder, and oregano to infuse depth and aromatic complexity.
- Cheese Layering: Create a sumptuous cheese blanket by first spreading Italian blend cheese to completely cover the seasoned onions, followed by a generous layer of shredded cheddar for tangy richness.
- Finishing Touch: Dust the top with a fine layer of Parmesan cheese to add a sophisticated, nutty undertone.
- Baking: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, watching for tender onions and a golden, bubbling cheese crust that transforms the entire dish.
- Resting and Serving: Remove from oven and let rest 3–5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cheese to set slightly, then serve warm as a decadent accompaniment to your main course.
Notes
- Onion Selection Matters: Choose sweet Vidalia onions for the best flavor profile, as their natural sweetness intensifies during baking.
- Slice Precision Impacts Texture: Maintain consistent ¼-inch thick onion rounds to ensure even cooking and ideal tenderness.
- Cheese Layer Strategy: Layer cheeses in sequence – Italian blend first, then cheddar, and finish with Parmesan for maximum flavor complexity.
- Resting Time is Crucial: Allow the baked dish to rest 3-5 minutes after cooking, which helps cheese set and flavors meld together perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg