Tennessee Onions are one of those magical recipes that fly under the radar—until you try them. Layered sweet onions baked with butter and three types of melty cheese, this dish is proof that simple ingredients can turn into something absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday dinner, hosting friends, or want something cozy and comforting as a weeknight side dish, this is the recipe you didn’t know you needed.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission. (Privacy Policy)
In This Post
What Are Tennessee Onions?
Tennessee Onions is a simple Southern side dish with sweet onions, butter, and plenty of melty cheese. They’re baked until tender and golden, and while the ingredients are humble, the flavor is anything but. It’s the kind of unexpected recipe you’d find scribbled on an old church cookbook page or passed down from a neighbor, which is where I learned of them. And, y’all, they are so delicious!
What Makes This Recipe So Special
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor – Sweet onions, butter, and melty cheese come together in the most unexpected (and irresistible) way.
- Pure Southern Comfort – This dish is cozy, cheesy, and packed with that wholesome, made-from-scratch flavor we crave—especially around the holidays.
- The Dish Everyone Talks About – It may not look fancy, but once it hits the table, it’s the one everyone asks about (and goes back for seconds).
Ingredients For Baked Tennessee Onions
- Vidalia Sweet Onions are almost a cross between a white and a yellow onion. They are sweet and mild – perfect for a versatile, side dish.
- Butter – When sauteing onions, I always use butter for ultimate richness without overpowering the onion’s natural sweetness, and baked onions are no different!
- Italian Blend Cheese and Parmesan Cheese bring a mild saltiness to the onions.
- Cheddar Cheese is the best cheesy goodness. I always grate the cheese myself for the best texture and flavor.
- Salt, Garlic Powder, and Thyme are the only spices you’ll need!
- Fresh Parsley – Finish the dish with a bit of greens for color and freshness.
- and fresh parsley to garnish.
Make It Your Own: Variations and Substitutions
- Spicy Kick: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- A Touch of Herbs: Swap thyme with rosemary or oregano for a different flavor profile.
- Cheese Swap: Try mozzarella, gruyere, or gouda (smoked gouda like in my grits casserole are great!) instead of one of the cheeses.
- Add a Crunch: Top with crispy homemade breadcrumbs or fried onions during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Step-by-Step Directions
- Prep the Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Next, peel the Vidalia sweet onions, then slice them into ¼-inch rounds. Separate the rings and lay them evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and thyme. Distribute pats of butter evenly across the seasoned onions, then sprinkle over the cheeses.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling. Remove from the oven and top with fresh parsley before serving.
Can This Dish Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! Assemble the dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until ready to bake.
How Long Do Tennesse Onions Stay Good For?
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave for best results.
- Freezer: While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions for up to a month. Thaw and reheat thoroughly before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of onions?
Vidalia onions are preferred for their sweetness, but yellow or white onions can also be used.
Can this dish be gluten-free?
This vegetarian recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your cheeses are free from additives containing gluten.
What To Serve With Tennessee Onions Casserole
- Perfect Pairing: Serve with Oven Fried Chicken, Air Fryer Salmon, or Crock Pot Bourbon Meatballs for a hearty, easy family meal or Sunday Supper.
- Topping: Use these cheesy onions to top burgers, baked potatoes, or Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
- For The Holidays: I love serving it at Thanksgiving with Roasted Turkey, and at Christmas and Easter with a Honey Baked Ham or Crock Pot Pork Roast.
More Southern Side Dishes
If you tried this Tennessee Onions Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Sweet, buttery, and oh-so-cheesy, Tennessee Onions are a comforting side dish perfect for any occasion! This simple recipe combines the natural sweetness of Vidalia onions with a rich blend of melted cheeses and herbs, making it an irresistible addition to your table.
Ingredients
- 3-4 Vidalia sweet onions
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of thyme
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese finely shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese finely shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese finely shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a temperature of 350°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
- After peeling your sweet onions, turn them sideways and start slicing them into ¼ inch rounds.
- Separate the onion rings out so they cook evenly. Don’t leave them nested.It is necessary to separate the sliced rounds into individual onion rings.
- Next, arrange the separated onion rings uniformly across the base of the baking dish. Once arranged, season the onion rings evenly with the salt, garlic powder, and thyme.
- Distribute the 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.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes and then top with fresh parsley.
Notes
Recipe Variations:
-
- Spicy Kick: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
-
- A Touch of Herbs: Swap thyme with rosemary or oregano for a different flavor profile.
-
- Cheese Swap: Experiment with mozzarella, gruyere, or gouda (smoked gouda like in my grits casserole are great!) instead of one of the cheeses.
-
- Add a Crunch: Top with crispy homemade breadcrumbs or fried onions during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave for best results.
- Freezer: While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions for up to a month. Thaw and reheat thoroughly before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 · Calories: 1747kcal · Carbohydrates: 86g · Protein: 81g · Fat: 126g · Saturated Fat: 63g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g · Monounsaturated Fat: 24g · Trans Fat: 2g · Cholesterol: 290mg · Sodium: 4520mg · Potassium: 1370mg · Fiber: 9g · Sugar: 51g · Vitamin A: 2980IU · Vitamin C: 49mg · Calcium: 1835mg · Iron: 4mg
Did you make this?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @asouthernsoul, and use the hashtag #asouthernsoul!
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
Tried this for our Sunday dinner and wow—so simple but packed with flavor! The onions turned out sweet and buttery, and the cheese on top was perfectly melty. This one’s definitely going into our regular side dish rotation. Thanks for sharing!
This makes me so happy, Stephanie, thank you! This is one of those unexpected recipes that you just fall in love with after one bite. Thank you for the great rating as well.
~Donya