Description
Southern comfort meets culinary magic in these Tennessee onions, a savory side dish that combines sweet Vidalia onions with creamy cheese and crisp breadcrumbs. Layers of rich flavor melt together, creating a mouthwatering accompaniment you’ll want to serve alongside grilled meats or enjoy as a standalone treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large sweet onions (Vidalia or Walla Walla), sliced into 0.25 inch (0.64 cm) rings
- 1 cup (240 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (240 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) salt
- 0.25 tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Vessel: Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch dish with cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent ingredient adhesion.
- Onion Foundation: Layer thinly sliced onions across the entire dish surface, creating a uniform and even base for the culinary creation.
- Seasoning Infusion: Delicately sprinkle garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika over the onion layer, distributing seasonings to enhance depth and complexity of flavor.
- Butter Integration: Drizzle melted butter across seasoned onions, allowing the rich liquid to permeate and soften the layers, developing a luxurious golden undertone.
- Cheese Layering: Artfully distribute mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses, ensuring complete coverage and creating a harmonious blend of stretchy, sharp, and nutty notes.
- Herbal Accent: Gently dust dried thyme over the cheese landscape, introducing a subtle herbal dimension to elevate the overall taste profile.
- Baking Process: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and transform.
- Final Browning: Remove foil and return to oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, encouraging caramelization and achieving a golden, crispy exterior.
- Presentation: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes, then serve immediately as an accompaniment to hearty main courses like grilled meats or robust proteins, transforming a simple side into a memorable culinary experience.
Notes
- Slice Onions Uniformly: Use a sharp knife or mandoline for consistent, thin onion slices to ensure even cooking and balanced texture throughout the dish.
- Control Moisture Levels: Pat onions dry before seasoning to prevent excess liquid and achieve perfect caramelization and crispy edges.
- Cheese Distribution Technique: Grate cheeses freshly and sprinkle in layers for maximum flavor melding and attractive golden-brown surface.
- Temperature Precision: Monitor oven closely during uncovered baking phase to prevent burning, checking every 5-7 minutes for ideal golden-brown coloration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 366
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 289 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg