Tennessee Onions - That Oven Feelin (2024)

Experience a taste of Southern goodness with our Tennessee Onions recipe. Made primarily with sweet Vidalia onions, a trifecta of cheeses, and savory butter and herbs, it’s a mouthwatering side dish you won’t want to miss.

Tennessee Onions - That Oven Feelin (1)

Ah, Tennessee Onions. This dish takes me down a nostalgic lane, back to my Grandma Eleanor’s quaint kitchen in Knoxville. The smell of these onions baking would waft through her home, announcing that a feast was on its way. As kids, my siblings and I would be playing outside, and the moment we caught that tantalizing aroma, we’d race each other to the kitchen, with bets on who could sneak a bite first. Grandma would chuckle, always letting us believe we were sneaky, while in reality, she always baked extra, expecting our little thefts. It wasn’t just about the onions or the cheese; it was about the love and memories baked into each layer. Every time I cook this now, I’m transported to those golden days, and I hope you feel a touch of that warmth and love with every bite you take.

Tennessee Onions - That Oven Feelin (2)

What makes this Tennessee Onions stand out?

Tennessee Onions isn’t just another onion dish. Here’s why it’s special:

  • Simple Yet Savory: With just a few staple ingredients, this dish manages to create a fusion of flavors that tastes gourmet.
  • Cheese Galore: Three cheeses, each lending its unique texture and flavor, come together in a delightful cheesy heaven.
  • Versatility: Perfect as a standalone dish, or a side to your favorite roast or grilled meats. It’s the chameleon of casseroles, fitting into any meal situation.
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Ingredients for Tennessee Onions:

  • Sweet Onions: Vidalia is our go-to because of its mild, sweet flavor. If you can’t find them, Walla Walla or Maui sweet onions can be alternatives.
  • Butter: Good quality, unsalted butter is recommended. It not only adds richness but also enhances the flavor of the onions.
  • Cheeses: The trifecta of Italian blend, cheddar, and parmesan provides a mix of meltiness, sharpness, and saltiness. Feel free to play around with the proportions, but keep the total amount the same for the best results.

How to make Tennessee Onions:

  • Prepping the Oven: Before you dive into any ingredient preparations, preheat your oven to 350 F. This ensures an even and immediate cooking process when you’re ready. Also, lightly spray a 9×13 dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Onion Slicing Fun: After peeling your sweet onions, turn them sideways and start slicing them into ¼ inch rounds. This might bring a tear to your eye, but it’s all in the name of deliciousness! Once sliced, separate these rounds into individual rings.
  • Layering Time: Arrange these onion rings uniformly in your baking dish. Season them with salt, garlic powder, and oregano for that added punch of flavor.
  • Buttery Delight: Slice your butter into about 8 even pats. Strategically place these pats across the dish, ensuring even distribution.
  • Cheesy Paradise: Begin the cheese fiesta by first sprinkling the Italian blend and cheddar cheese over the onions. Conclude with a generous layer of parmesan on top. We’re aiming for cheesy perfection here!
  • Baking Bliss: Place your dish in the preheated oven and let it bake for 35-40 minutes. You’re looking for that lovely golden brown hue and a bubbly cheese surface. The waiting is the hardest part!
  • Serve and Savor: Don’t let it cool down too much. Dive in while it’s hot to experience the melty, cheesy goodness.
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Storage Options:

After enjoying your Tennessee Onions, if you have leftovers (which I’d be surprised!), cover your dish tightly with cling film or transfer the onions to an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350 F for about 10 minutes, or until hot and bubbly again.

Variations and Substitutions:

  • Onions: If Vidalia onions aren’t available, Maui or Walla Walla sweet onions are great substitutes.
  • Cheeses: Feel adventurous? Swap out one of the cheeses for Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a different cheesy profile.
  • Herbs: Thyme or rosemary can be great alternatives to oregano for a distinct flavor twist.

So, there you have it, my fellow food enthusiast! Whip up this scrumptious dish and let the flavors of Tennessee serenade your taste buds!

Tennessee Onions - That Oven Feelin (5)

Tennessee Onions

Experience a taste of Southern goodness with our Tennessee Onions recipe. Made primarily with sweet Vidalia onions, a trifecta of cheeses, and savory butter and herbs, it’s a mouthwatering side dish you won't want to miss.

3.71 from 1392 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 3-4 Vidalia sweet onions
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon of salt adjust according to preference
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
  • 1 cup of Italian blend cheese finely shredded
  • 1 cup of cheddar cheese finely shredded
  • ½ cup of parmesan cheese finely shredded

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating the oven to a temperature of 350°F (175°C). Subsequently, coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with a suitable non-stick cooking spray.

  • After cleaning and peeling the Vidalia sweet onions, position them sideways and proceed to slice them into rounds that are approximately ¼ inch in thickness. Following this, it is necessary to separate the sliced rounds into individual onion rings.

  • Next, arrange the separated onion rings uniformly across the base of the previously prepared baking dish. Once arranged, season the onion rings evenly with the salt, garlic powder, and oregano.

  • The butter should then be cut into roughly eight even portions or pats. Distribute these butter pats evenly across the seasoned onion rings in the baking dish.

  • Continue by uniformly sprinkling the Italian blend cheese and cheddar cheese over the arranged onion rings. Finish this cheese layering with a final topping of the shredded parmesan cheese.

  • Once assembled, place the baking dish into the preheated oven. Allow the dish to bake for a duration of 35-40 minutes. The dish should be removed when the cheese has begun to brown and bubble.

  • For optimal taste, it is advised to serve the dish promptly while it remains warm.

Tried this recipe?Mention @ThatOvenFeelin or tag #ThatOvenFeelin!

Tennessee Onions - That Oven Feelin (2024)

FAQs

What is the best tasting onion? ›

Yellow Onion

With a balanced flavor that's not too sweet and not too sharp, yellow onions work well in a variety of cuisines and dishes, including an Indian stir-fry, an Italian-style red sauce, and, yes, a Spanish paella. If a recipe simply calls for an onion, a yellow onion is the one to use.

What kind of onion is the sweetest? ›

Sweet Onions – Walla Walla and Vidalia are the most common kinds of sweet onions. These onions lack the sharp, astringent taste of other onions and really do taste sweet.

Are Vidalia onions cooking onions? ›

Vidalia onions' mild flavor makes them versatile in a variety of cooking applications and dishes, such as raw in salads, baked in vegetable dishes, caramelized for dips or sauteed to accompany grilled meats. You can cook with Vidalia onions in any dish you'd use regular onions.

What are red onions used for? ›

Red Onions

Sharper and spicier than yellow onions, you'll often see them raw, whether in salads, like Greek salad or kachumber, or alongside long-cooking braises. Soak them in ice water as you prep your other ingredients to make them extra crisp and rid them of some fierceness.

What kind of onion is best for roasting? ›

We recommend using yellow or red, because they hold up well during the roast. How do you cut an onion for roasting? We trim and peel the onions, and cut them into wedges for this preparation.

Which onion has the most flavor when cooked? ›

White onions are probably the strongest-tasting onion on this list. They're typically used in Asian and Mexican dishes, as well as potato and macaroni salads. You can also sauté them, making them ideal for French onion soup or any other food in which you want to add sweet or sour flavor.

Which onions are tastier? ›

"White onions tend to be milder and sweeter than yellow onions—but that doesn't mean you won't find yellow onions with higher sugar content, such as Vidalia or Maui varieties," says chef Weinstein. "White onions are also more tender," he adds.

What is the healthiest onion? ›

Red onions

All types of onions are good for you, but this dark reddish-purple variety, sometimes called purple onion, has especially high levels of quercetin and other helpful plant compounds known as flavonoids. Flavonoids give many fruits, vegetables, and flowers their colors.

Which is sweeter, Vidalia or Walla Walla? ›

And the Walla Walla soil and growing conditions give that onion a more complex flavor profile "that tells you that this is an onion," he says. The Vidalia may be milder or sweeter, but to Dean, flavor makes the winner. Ultimately, it may be availability that dictates which onion you buy.

What is the closest onion to Vidalia? ›

Vidalia Onion Substitute

If you can't get your hands on Vidalia onions, you can use any type of sweet onion instead. For instance, Walla Walla and Maui are both perfectly acceptable alternatives.

What type of onions are walla walla? ›

Walla Walla onions, botanically classified as Allium cepa, are one of the only non-hybrid, sweet onions that are members of the Amaryllidaceae family. Known as a long-day variety, Walla Walla onions are named for their specific growing region in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington in the pacific northwest.

Should Vidalia onions be refrigerated? ›

DO store onions in the veggie bin in the refrigerator. Wrap each bulb individually in paper towels to help absorb moisture and place them in the crisper with vents closed. Many will keep for months!

Why do you not cook with red onions? ›

Generally, white and yellow onions are used for cooking, and red onions are used raw. That's because red onions usually aren't as strong as white and yellow onions. There are some exceptions.

Why do you soak red onions in water? ›

When preparing raw onions, soak in cold water before hand to remove some of the pungency and soften the flavor.

Which onion is best for hair growth? ›

Red onion. Yes, Red onion. Red onions have numerous benefits for your hair like growth, hair loss control and lots more. You are probably wondering how an onion – a common kitchen staple – can be used in hair and can in fact, be beneficial.

Which onions taste best caramelized? ›

You can caramelize any kind of onion, but yellow or Spanish onions tend to offer the most balanced-sweet-savory flavor profile and are the most versatile for different dishes. Sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla work too, but keep in mind that their flavor will become even sweeter once caramelized.

Which onions keep the best? ›

For an onion that you can keep long after the growing season, the strong-flavored, yellow ones are your best bet. They're the most widely grown in this country and they keep extremely well. Commercial growers like these onions because they store them for long periods of time and ship them long distances.

Which onions taste better grilled? ›

The Best Ever Grilled Onions
  • Use sweet onions such as Walla Walla or Vidalia. ...
  • Use wooden skewers. ...
  • Running the skewer through the center of the onion will keep the tender, middle part of the onion (the best part!) from falling out through the grates.
  • Cook low and slow.
Jul 11, 2017

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