Description
Indulge in the rich and comforting Cheesy Baked Tennessee Onions, a delightful side dish featuring sweet Vidalia onions baked to tender perfection with a blend of mozzarella, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses. This recipe combines savory herbs and garlic with a creamy texture that melts beautifully in your mouth, perfect for elevating any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3-4 large sweet onions (Vidalia or similar)
Dairy & Cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Spices & Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the onions evenly.
- Prepare the onions: Peel the sweet onions and slice them into ½-inch thick rings to maintain a tender but firm texture after baking.
- Butter the baking dish: Use a cast iron skillet or your preferred baking dish and evenly coat it with butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Arrange onions: Lay the sliced onion rings in the dish, slightly overlapping them to create a stacked, layered effect.
- Season the onions: Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme evenly over the arranged onion rings to enhance their natural sweetness with aromatic spices.
- Add butter pieces: Distribute the small pieces of butter over the onions to melt and infuse richness during baking.
- Top with cheese and cream: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Gruyère cheese over the onions, then drizzle with heavy cream if using, to add creaminess and depth.
- Bake: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the onion rings turn tender and the cheese bubbles and develops a golden brown crust.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, and allow the dish to sit for 5 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and cheeses set.
Notes
- Using Vidalia or another sweet onion variety is key for a naturally sweet flavor.
- Substitute Gruyère with Swiss cheese if Gruyère is unavailable.
- The heavy cream is optional but adds extra creaminess and richness to the dish.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the onion rings to allow even cooking.
- Letting the dish rest after baking helps the cheese firm up slightly for easier serving.
