I don't think I'd be let through the door if I didn't bring these! My family is beyond obsessed. People who aren't crazy about onions even end up with some on their plate. Highly recommend!!!" ~ Tasty recipes

What you’re making & why it works

Tennessee Onions takes sweet onions (think Vidalia onion or another mild sweet variety), slices them into rings, layers them in a baking dish with butter, seasonings and a rich blend of cheeses. As it bakes, the onions soften, the natural sweetness intensifies, the butter and cheese create melty, golden layers of flavor and texture. Because the onions are inherently sweet and mild, they serve beautifully in this dish. The result: tender, savory‐sweet, gooey, cheesy onion goodness that feels indulgent yet simple. Sources describe it as a “cheesy baked side dish better than onion rings.” Ava Chef Life+1

It’s highly adaptable for holiday meals, everyday dinners, or when you want something bold yet easy. It’s gained popularity due to its simplicity: sweet onion + butter + cheese + seasonings = winner. Allrecipes+1

Ingredients (for ~8 servings, 9×13-inch baking dish)

Here’s a robust ingredient list you can use. You can scale up or down depending on dish size or how many you’re serving.

Onions & Base

3 to 4 large sweet onions (Vidalia, Walla Walla, or any mild sweet onion) — peeled and sliced into ⅛ to ¼-inch rings. Recipe Girl®+1
4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into pats. GE Latam+1
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (or ~1 teaspoon salt) Umami+1
½ teaspoon garlic powder GE Latam
¼ to ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional) & fresh cracked pepper. Ava Chef Life+1
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder (optional) GE Latam

Cheese Layer

~¾ cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese (~3 oz) GE Latam+1
~¾ cup shredded Gouda (or smoked Gouda) (~3 oz) or another melting cheese like Monterey Jack. GE Latam
~½ cup grated Parmesan (~1.3 oz) GE Latam

Garnish & Optional Add‐ons

Chopped fresh parsley (2 Tbsp) for garnish. Umami
Optional: brown sugar (2 teaspoons) to accent caramelization. In the Kitchen with Momma Mel
Optional: cayenne pepper (¼ tsp) for heat. Punchfork

Equipment & Prep

9×13-inch baking dish (or similar ~3-quart dish)
Oven preheated to ~350 °F (175°C) or as specified. GE Latam+1
Sharp knife or mandoline for onion slices. GE Latam
Measuring spoons, shredded cheese, mixing bowl for onions.
Aluminum foil to cover for part of bake.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Pre-heat oven & prepare dish

Pre-heat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) (the standard for many of these recipes). GE Latam+1
Lightly grease your baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Set aside.

Step 2: Slice the onions

Peel the sweet onions. Slice into rings about ⅛-¼ inch thick. Some sources say use 1/8″ thick. Recipe Girl®
Remove or loosen the rings (separate them gently) so the onion rings can fit and layer evenly in the dish.

Step 3: Season the onions

In a large bowl, combine the sliced onion rings, salt, garlic powder, onion powder (if using), smoked paprika, dry mustard, and plenty of fresh cracked pepper. Toss gently so the rings are coated. For example: “salt 1½ tsp, garlic powder 1 tsp, smoked paprika 1 tsp…” Umami

Step 4: Layer onions and cheeses in dish

Place half of the seasoned onion rings in an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Then sprinkle with half the shredded Cheddar and Gouda (or equivalent), and a portion of the Parmesan. Next, add the remaining onion rings over that, and then top with the remaining cheeses, ensuring the top layer is cheese. Example method: “Arrange half the onion rings … sprinkle half the cheddar/Gouda … arrange remaining onions … sprinkle remaining cheeses … dot with butter.” Umami+1

Step 5: Add butter & cover

Dot the top with the butter pats — distributing the 4 tablespoons of butter in small pats over the dish so as it melts it seeps through the onions. Punchfork
Now cover the baking dish tightly with foil.

Step 6: Bake covered then uncovered

Place the covered dish in the pre-heated oven. Bake until the onions are tender and the casserole is bubbling, approximately 40-45 minutes depending on your oven and onion thickness. Punchfork+1
Then remove the foil and continue to bake uncovered for another 20-30 minutes (or until the cheese on top is melted, golden brown in spots, and bubbling). Example: “Uncover and bake until cheese is golden brown in spots, about 20 minutes more.” GE Latam

Step 7: Rest & serve

Let the casserole rest about 5 minutes after removing from oven to allow it to set slightly and make serving easier. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for garnish and serve warm. National Onion Association
It works as a side to steaks, BBQ, burgers, or even as a topping or spread on bread. Ava Chef Life

Tips for Success & Texture/Flavour Tweaks

Choose the right onions: Sweet onions (Vidalia, Walla Walla) are ideal because their natural sugars caramelize during baking gently. Recipe Girl®
Slice uniformly: Ensures even cooking — aim for ⅛-¼-inch slices and separate rings for even layering.
Butter distribution matters: Dotting small pats of butter over the top allows even melting and richness; too much butter pooling can make soggy. Some Reddit posts mention ending up with too much butter pooling if cheese or butter ratio is off. Reddit
Cheese selection: Use good melting cheeses. Fresh-shredded cheddar and Gouda (or Fontina, Gruyère) melt well. Avoid pre-shredded if possible (anti-caking agents can alter melt). RecipeGirl suggests trying Gruyère + sharp cheddar. Recipe Girl®
Seasoning depth: The dry mustard powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder and cayenne bring flavor beyond just cheese & onion. Don’t skip. Punchfork
Layering technique: Sprinkling cheese between onion layers means cheese is embedded rather than just on top, giving flavor throughout.
Cover then uncover: Covering helps cook the onions through without burning the cheese, then uncovering lets the cheese brown and crisp.
Serving immediately: Best served warm. If kept too long the cheese can stiffen; reheating gently works but may alter texture.
Use as topping or side: While excellent as a side dish, you can also use Tennessee Onions as a topping for burgers, steaks, sandwiches, or as a layered dip. Reddit users note its versatility. Reddit

Variations & Dietary Adjustments

Spicy version: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne (¼ tsp) for heat. Punchfork
Bacon-topped: For added smoky flavor, sprinkle cooked, crumbled bacon over the top before serving. Recipe suggestion says cooked bacon adds a nice meaty layer. My Savory Twist
Herb-infused: Add fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary) into layering for more aromatic flavor. RecipeGirl suggests sprigs of thyme or rosemary. Recipe Girl®
Low‐carb/Keto version: Use full-fat cheeses, skip any added sugar, choose butter and seasonings accordingly. Many sources classify the dish as gluten-free and suitable for low-carb. Punchfork
Vegan version: Substitute vegan “cheese” shreds and plant-based butter; use nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor; make sure onions still layer and bake.
Different cheese blends: Instead of Cheddar + Gouda, you could use Fontina + Swiss, or Monterey Jack + mozzarella. The key: two types of melting cheese + Parmesan on top for sharpness.
Smaller dish for fewer servings: You might scale down to a 8×8 dish and reduce onion quantity accordingly. Bake times may adjust slightly.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Make ahead: You can assemble the entire dish (onions, cheese, butter, seasonings) and cover tightly. Refrigerate for up to one day before baking. Increase bake time slightly if dish is cold. RecipeGirl confirms you can prepare ahead. Recipe Girl®
Leftovers & storage: After baking and cooling slightly, transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 3 days. Some sources advise not to freeze due to cheese texture changes. Recipe Girl®
Reheating: Reheat in oven at ~325-350 °F until warmed through and cheese bubbly again. Microwave works but texture may suffer.
Freezing caution: Some recipes note “Don’t freeze Tennessee Onions” because the cheese may separate and the texture changes. Recipe Girl®

Presentation & Serving Suggestions

– Serve hot from the dish, optionally garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh pop of color.
– As a side dish, pair with:

Grilled steaks or ribeye (the cheesy onions cut through rich beef). Ava Chef Life
Barbecue pork, roasted chicken, smoked sausages.
Burgers or gourmet sandwiches – use Tennessee Onions as a topping inside the burger or alongside as a decadent onion side. Reddit burgers exemplify this. Reddit
– As a condiment or topping, spoon over:
Crispy pork chops or grilled vegetables.
A baked potato or sweet potato for an indulgent side.
– Serve with a crusty bread or rolls to soak up the buttery-cheese sauce that pools on the bottom. RecipeGirl specifically says: “Don’t let the buttery sauce go to waste—use bread to soak it up.” Recipe Girl®

Full Print-Ready Recipe

Tennessee Onions
Yield: ~8 servings
Prep Time: ~15-20 minutes
Cook Time: ~60-75 minutes
Total Time: ~75-95 minutes

Ingredients:

3-4 large sweet onions (approx. 2¾ lb) – peeled, sliced into ⅛-¼ in thick rings. GE Latam
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pats.
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼-½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¾ cup shredded mild Cheddar (~3 oz)
¾ cup shredded Gouda (or other good melting cheese) (~3 oz)
½ cup grated Parmesan (~1.3 oz)
Optional: chopped fresh parsley (2 Tbsp) for garnish
Optional: cayenne pepper (¼ tsp) for heat

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9×13-inch (or similar) baking dish.
Slice onions into rings (~⅛-¼ inch thick); separate the rings gently.
In a large bowl, toss onion rings with salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika (if using), dry mustard (if using), and freshly cracked black pepper.
Spread half the onion rings in the bottom of the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
Sprinkle half the Cheddar and half the Gouda (or melting cheese of your choice) evenly over the first layer of onions. Then sprinkle part of the Parmesan.
Add the remaining onion rings in a second layer over the cheese. Top with the remaining Cheddar + Gouda, then the remainder of the Parmesan. Dot the top with the butter pats, distributing evenly.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for ~40-45 minutes, or until the onions have softened and the casserole is bubbling.
Uncover and continue baking for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown in spots.
Remove from oven and let sit ~5 minutes to set slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Notes & Tips:

Use sweet onions for best flavor; feel free to substitute but flavor may differ.
If you want more caramelization, you can increase the bake time uncovered.
For a spicier version, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne.
For extra richness, you might add a little brown sugar (2 tsp) with the seasoning to help caramelize the onions.
Serve with bread to soak up excess butter/cheese sauce.
Make ahead by layering everything and refrigerating; bake when ready.
Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in oven for best texture. Avoid freezing if possible.

Final Thoughts

This Tennessee Onions recipe gives you a side dish (or topping or centerpiece) that transforms humble sweet onions into something rich, melty, and deeply satisfying. The contrast of tender sweet onion rings, savory butter, warm seasonings and rich cheeses makes it delightfully indulgent yet straightforward. Whether you’re making it for a holiday dinner, weekend cookout, burger night or simply want something out of the ordinary, this dish checks the boxes.

Give yourself time for the bake (the uncovered cheese browning phase is key) and choose good cheese. With that, you’ll turn sweet onions into a memorable dish that folks ask you to make again. Enjoy every gooey, golden, sweet-onion-cheese-rich bite!

If you like, I can also prepare a printable PDF version of this recipe (with high-resolution photos for each step, variation options, and a ready shopping list) for you to save or share. Would you like me to make that?

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