Tennessee Onions: Cheesy Baked Style (Better Than Onion Rings) Recipe
This recipe for Tennessee Onions: Cheesy Baked Style offers a deliciously cheesy twist on traditional onion rings, featuring layers of sweet Vidalia onion rings baked with a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic, thyme, and butter for a rich and savory dish perfect as a side or appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Onion Rings
- 3 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia), sliced into ½-inch rings
Cheese Mixture
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoned Butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Onion Rings: Separate the sliced sweet onions into individual ½-inch rings, ensuring even layering in the dish.
- Make Seasoned Butter: In a small bowl, combine melted unsalted butter with garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Toss the onion rings gently in this mixture until they are evenly coated with the flavorful butter.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and grated Parmesan cheese thoroughly to create a balanced cheesy blend.
- Layer the Dish: Spread half of the buttered onion rings evenly in the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle half of the cheese mixture evenly over the onion layer.
- Add Remaining Layers: Top with the remaining seasoned onion rings, closing the layers, and cover with the rest of the mixed cheeses to ensure cheesy coverage.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the onions become tender and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving hot. Enjoy this rich and cheesy take on classic Tennessee Onions!
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Lightly greasing the baking dish helps prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- You can substitute or add other cheeses like mozzarella for variation.
- Letting the dish rest after baking allows the cheese to set slightly for easier serving.
- This dish pairs well with barbecue or grilled meats.
- For a crispier top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Keywords: Tennessee Onions, baked onion rings, cheesy onions, southern side dish, Vidalia onions, cheesy baked onions
