A few summers ago, I helped at a county fair booth where a retired chef from Nashville served up cheesy onion stacks that drew a crowd long before the noon ribbon-cutting. I remember the scent of sweet onion mingling with melted cheese and the hum of chatter on a warm August afternoon.
After that day, I couldn’t stop thinking about layering Vidalia onions with butter and cheese. When I got home, I ordered fresh onions from a local farm stand, sliced them thick into rounds, and layered them with butter pats and seasoning. As the baking dish warmed, the house filled with buttery, garlicky aroma until I could smell golden-brown cheese bubbling at the edges.
I invited my neighbor, who had driven past the fair and smelled the cheese from outside—to come try it. She came in, curious, and took one bite into tender sweet onion melted beneath a crust of three cheeses. She closed her eyes and asked for seconds. This dish celebrates humble ingredients—Vidalia onions, butter, garlic, and cheese, made special by time in the oven and a few generations of love.
Short Description
Tennessee Onions are layered sweet Vidalia onion rounds baked with butter, garlic, and a trio of cheeses until tender, golden, and bubbling—perfect as a savory side or veggie-forward appetizer.
Key Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 to 4 Vidalia sweet onions, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch rounds (rings intact)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 8 pats
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Cheese Blend
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Provolone), finely shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
Tools Needed
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Grater (or pre-shredded cheeses)
- Oven mitts
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prep Dish
Preheat oven to 350°F. Position rack in the center. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch dish with non-stick spray.
Step 2: Slice Onions
Peel Vidalia onions. Slice crosswise into ¼-inch thick rounds, keeping rings intact.
Step 3: Layer Onions & Season
Arrange onion rounds evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, and oregano evenly over them.
Step 4: Add Butter
Evenly dot the seasoned onions with 8 butter pats for consistent melt and richness.
Step 5: Layer Cheeses
Sprinkle a layer of Italian blend cheese and cheddar over onions. Top with a final layer of Parmesan.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden & Tender
Bake 35–40 minutes, until cheese is melted, golden brown, bubbling, and onions are fork-tender.
Step 7: Rest & Serve Warm
Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving so cheese settles slightly. Serve warm.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sweet and Savory: Vidalia onions bring natural sweetness; cheeses add umami and richness.
Minimal Prep: Slicing and layering are easy, no sautéing, no fuss.
Vegetable-Focused: A hearty, flavorful side dish that celebrates onions.
Crowd-Friendly: Great for potlucks, family dinners, or garlic-cheese lovers.
Comforting & Light: Satisfying without heaviness, just cheese, butter, and sweet onion.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Onions too watery: Salt lightly drains them but avoid oversalting.
Cheese not melting evenly: Use finely shredded cheeses so they melt uniformly.
Undercooked onions: If not tender, bake for an extra 5 minutes and test with fork.
Runny dish: Make sure onions sit in single layer for even cooking to avoid steam buildup.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve alongside grilled chicken, pork chops, or roasted vegetables.
Pair with crusty bread or garlic toast to soak up cheese.
Cheese-forward enough to serve as a vegetarian appetizer.
Family-style or plated—great either way.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store: Cover cooled dish tightly and refrigerate up to 2 days.
Reheat (Oven): Warm at 350°F for 10 minutes or until cheese softness returns.
Reheat (Microwave): Heat individual portions on medium power for 1–2 minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I use other onions?
Yes, sweet onions like Walla Walla work too, though Vidalias are ideal for their sweetness.
2. Can this be made ahead?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate, then bake shortly before serving. Increase bake time by a few minutes if cold.
3. What if I’m dairy-free?
Use vegan butter and dairy-free cheeses, though textures may change.
4. Can I reduce cheese?
Yes, cut cheddar and Parmesan amounts in half to lighten it.
5. Is it spicy?
Not inherently, but you can sprinkle red pepper flakes for a mild kick
Tips & Tricks
Slice onions evenly to ensure uniform doneness.
Let butter pats soften slightly before placing so they melt evenly.
Use a mix of cheeses that melt well and add flavor complexity.
Rotate the dish halfway through baking for even browning.
Let the casserole stand briefly before slicing so cheese doesn’t pull apart too much.
Recipe Variations
Herbed Tomato-Onion Bake
Add a layer of sliced tomatoes under onions and sprinkle fresh basil.
Smoky BBQ Cheese Onions
Add smoked cheddar and drizzle with barbecue sauce before serving.
Mushroom & Onion Gratin
Slice mushrooms and layer alternately with onions. Add thyme for earthy notes.
Low-Fat Version
Use light butter and reduced-fat cheeses. Increase oregano or herbs for flavor depth.
Final Thoughts
After the fair that first inspired me, I came home and baked these onions again for family dinner. We gathered around the table in soft light, and my husband lifted a forkful, cheese stretching, onion melting—closing his eyes in quiet content.
It stirred me up teaching days when a simple dish could break walls and bring people together. I hope these Tennessee Onions warm your kitchen with the same gentle comfort and easy pleasure they bring to mine—perfect for a cozy evening or a special gathering with familiar faces.
Tennessee Onions Better Than Onion Rings!
Print ThisIngredients
- Main Ingredients
- 3 to 4 Vidalia sweet onions, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch rounds (rings intact)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 8 pats
- Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Cheese Blend
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Provolone), finely shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Oven & Dish
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Slice Onions
Peel and slice Vidalia onions into ¼-inch rounds, keeping rings intact.
Step 3: Layer & Season
Arrange onions in dish. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and oregano.
Step 4: Add Butter
Dot onions with 8 butter pats.
Step 5: Add Cheese
Layer Italian blend, cheddar, then Parmesan on top.
Step 6: Bake
Bake 35–40 minutes until golden, bubbly, and tender.
Step 7: Rest & Serve
Let sit a few minutes, then serve warm.
