Looking for a side dish that will impress your family and friends? My recipe for Tennessee onions is so easy to make and is packed with incredible flavor. Made with simple ingredients like sweet onions, butter, and cheese, this recipe is one you will want to make again and again.

Growing up in East Tennessee, this Tennessee onions recipe was always a favorite at family meals. Holiday meal, Sunday supper, or even at family cookouts, this was a staple. I love how simple it is to make and you only need a few ingredients.

My mom would often make this dish when we had leftover Vidalia onions from the huge bag she would buy at the store. She always said it was a great way to use up the onions before they went bad, but really I think it was because these cheesy onions are one of her favorite side dishes.

The secret to this onion recipe is how they totally transform in the oven. The onions soften and caramelize just enough to be perfectly tender. This really is a crowd pleasing recipe and a must try.

If you are looking for more onion recipe be sure to try this Vidalia onion dip, French onion soup rice, and green onion dip.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Taste: The sweet onion flavor combined with flavorful seasonings and gooey cheese is a match made in food heaven. It reminds me of an onion soup flavor.
• Easy to make: You can put this recipe together in a matter of minutes with not many ingredients.
• Flexible: Serve this as a side dish or on a variety of things like grilled chicken, pork, BBQ, and more.

Ingredients

Just a few ingredients are needed to make this easy Tennessee onions recipe.

• Sweet onions – I like using sweet Vidalia onions when you can find them in the grocery store. Walla walla onions and Maui onions also work well.
• Butter – Choose a good quality, unsalted butter for this recipe.
• Cheese – A blend of cheese really takes this side dish to the next level. Cheddar cheese, Italian blend cheese, and grated parmesan come together to give you the best flavor.
• Seasonings – Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper

How to make this Tennessee onions recipe

Step one: Set the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Step two: Carefully cut the ends off of the onions and remove the outer layer. Slice the onions into thin, 1/4-inch thick slices and then separate into individual onion rings.

Step three: Spread the onion rings out in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the seasonings over the sliced onions and then place the pats of butter on top of the onions.

Step four: Evenly spread out the cheddar cheese, Italian blend cheese, and then parmesan cheese.

Step five: Bake the onions for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Heather’s recipe tips

Even though this is a simple dish I have a few tips.

• Slice evenly: Try to slice the onions a similar thickness. About 1/4-inch works well.
• Separate the onion rings: Make sure to separate the onion rings and spread them out so that they bake evenly.
• Use sweet onions: I think using sweet onions gives this dish the best flavor.
• Let it rest: Let the onions rest for about 5 minutes before serving to let everything thicken and come together.

Storage

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for 3-4 days. Reheat the onions in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or in the microwave.

Variations and substitutions

• Cheese – Can’t find the shredded Italian blend cheese? Try substituting with mozzarella cheese, shredded Gouda cheese or Monterey Jack cheese. You can also use either mild cheddar cheese or sharp cheddar cheese depending on your preference.
• Seasonings – Try substituting the Italian seasoning with 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme. If you want to add a little heat, include 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

How to serve Tennessee onions

These cheesy onions can be served as a side dish or even as a topper. Try serving them on top of a cheeseburger, BBQ sandwich, hot dogs, or even a steak.

FAQ’S

More easy side dishes

• Pineapple casserole
• Spinach casserole
• Vegetable casserole

Be sure to let me know if you try this onion dish in the comments below.