Tennessee Onions: The Cheesy Baked Side Dish Better Than Onion Rings Recipe
Tennessee Onions are a cheesy baked side dish featuring thickly sliced sweet onions layered with butter, Italian seasoning, and a trio of cheeses—mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan. Baked until golden and bubbly, this rich and flavorful dish offers a delightful alternative to traditional onion rings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Onions
- 3 large sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow), sliced ½ inch thick
Seasonings & Butter
- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pats
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly butter a suitable baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Arrange Onions: Place the thick onion slices in a single layer within the prepared baking dish, ensuring even coverage.
- Season and Add Butter: Sprinkle salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning evenly over the onions. Dot the onions with small pats of butter to infuse richness during baking.
- Add Cheeses: First, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the onions. Then lay the provolone slices on top, followed by a generous topping of grated Parmesan cheese to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Bake the dish uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Broil for Crispiness (Optional): For an extra crispy top, place the dish under the broiler for 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked onions to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the dish cool slightly for easier serving.
Notes
- You can use either Vidalia or yellow onions based on sweetness preference.
- Adjust Italian seasoning to your taste or substitute with Italian herb blend.
- If you don’t have provolone, mozzarella alone works well, but provolone adds a distinct flavor.
- The broiling step is optional but recommended for a crispy cheese topping.
- Serve as a hearty side dish with grilled meats or as part of a southern-inspired meal.
Keywords: Tennessee onions, cheesy baked onions, baked onion side dish, southern side dish, cheesy onions, onion recipe, baked onion rings alternative
