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Cheesy Baked Tennessee Onions


  • Author: Linda

Description

Sweet onions baked with butter and cheese until soft and golden — this dish is richer and more comforting than onion rings, and makes an excellent side for burgers, steaks, or BBQ.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 large sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow), sliced into ½-inch thick rounds

  • 4 tbsp (¼ cup) unsalted butter, cut into small pats

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix like cheddar + mozzarella)

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)

  • Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Optional: chopped parsley for garnish


Instructions

  • Prep the Oven and Onions

    • Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

    • Grease a baking dish (about 9×13 cm or slightly larger) lightly with butter or cooking spray.

    • Arrange the onion rounds in a single layer in the dish, overlapping slightly if necessary.

  • Add Butter and Seasoning

    • Distribute the small pats of butter evenly over the onion slices.

    • Sprinkle the minced garlic and thyme over the top.

    • Season lightly with salt and pepper.

  • Add the Cheeses

    • First, sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the onions.

    • Then add the Parmesan.

    • Finally, top with the remaining cheddar — you want a thick, even layer of cheese.

  • Bake

    • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.

    • Bake for about 30–35 minutes, or until the onions are soft and the cheese is melted and bubbling.

    • If the top doesn’t brown enough, you can turn on the broiler for the last 2–3 minutes — watch closely to avoid burning.

  • Serve

    • Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes so the cheese sets slightly.

    • Garnish with chopped parsley if you like.

    • Serve warm as a side dish — it goes great with grilled meats, burgers, or as a cheesy appetizer.

Notes

  • Use sweet onions (like Vidalia) for a naturally mild and sugary flavor.

  • Slicing the onions evenly ensures they cook uniformly.

  • Distribute butter and garlic well so every slice gets flavor.

  • Letting the onions rest after baking helps the cheese firm up so it doesn’t slide off when you serve.