Description
Tennessee Onions are a savory, cheesy baked side dish featuring thick-sliced sweet onions layered with a blend of mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with Italian herbs and baked to golden, bubbly perfection. This comforting recipe offers a delicious alternative to traditional onion rings, with a rich, cheesy crust and tender onions inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Onions
- 3 large sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow), sliced ½ inch thick
Seasonings & Butter
- 3 tbsp butter, cut into small pats
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a medium-sized baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Arrange Onions: Place the ½-inch thick onion slices in a single layer across the bottom of the buttered baking dish, ensuring even coverage for consistent cooking.
- Season Onions: Sprinkle the onion slices evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to enhance the natural sweetness and add a herbal depth of flavor. Dot the onions with small pats of butter for richness.
- Add Cheeses: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the onions first, then layer the provolone cheese slices on top. Finish by generously topping with grated Parmesan cheese for a crispy, flavorful crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly, and the onions are tender.
- Optional Broil: For a crispier top layer, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and for easier serving. Serve warm as a delicious side dish alternative to traditional onion rings.
Notes
- If you prefer milder onions, use Vidalia onions; they also add natural sweetness.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder before baking.
- Use a combination of cheeses you prefer; cheddar can be substituted for provolone if desired.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure all seasonings and cheeses are certified gluten-free.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or as part of a hearty vegetable platter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Tennessee onions, cheesy baked onions, baked onion side dish, onion recipes, Southern side dishes, cheesy onions, comfort food
