Want to know what was ‘pon Rocky Top? Tennessee Onions! That’s what, the premier Vidalia Onion Recipe! You want an exceptional and EASY savory dish, right? Yeah, I thought so! This Southern Tennessee Onions Casserole Recipe - Easy is the right recipe for you, delicious cheesy onions!
This delightful Vidalia Onion Recipes is made with sweet vidalia onions resulting in a vidalia onion casserole!
Basically, I’ve been eating this vidalia onion casserole for 30 years now, and I don’t forsee a time when I’ll stop. You should try it!
Sweet onions cut into onion rings, sprinkled with garlic powder and covered with cheddar cheese then baked in a prepared baking dish.
What could be easier? You'll love it, I promise!
Why This Baked Vidalia Onion Recipe Works!
- It has simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen like sweet vidalia onions, butter and garlic.
- This has been rated as one of the BEST vidalia onion recipes out there!
- What can go wrong with melted mozzarella cheeses, garlic and a sweet vidalia onion?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What to Cook for Vegetarians
This vidalia onion recipes is a perfect recipe for your vegetarian friends.
What Are Tennessee Onions
Good question! Sweet Onions like Tennessee Onions are baked Vidalia (or other sweet onions) Onions with butter, cheese, garlic and various herbs.
This dish of Tennessee Onions is a creation using sweet vidalia onions from the recipe of a great grandmother of a good friend of mine.
I have no idea why she called this vidalia onion casserole Tennessee Onions. You'll catch some great flavors of the south and it's the best dish for the most ardent onion fan, like me!
Vidalia onions are the mighty onion that come from Georgia, not Tennessee! Who knows – let’s just roll with it – OK?
Is a Vidalia Onion and Sweet Onion
Yes, vidalia onions are sweet onions. If you can’t find Vidalias try substituting Cipollini onions, Texas Sweet or other sweet onions.
Where are Vidalia Onions Grown
According to my research, REAL vidalia onions are grown in Georgia!
How Do I Store Vidalia Onions
Store Vidalia onions (and all onions) in a cool dry dark place. If you happen to have an old pair of panty hose, you can drop a Vidalia down into the foot, tie a knot, drop another in and so on.
Just cut the bottom one off as you need an onion! This works GREAT!
When are Vidalia Onions in Season
Vidalia Onions are in season in the summer time. You will be able to find other types of sweet onions all year long.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Tennessee Onions Recipe
- Serve Tennessee Onions over hamburgers, as teh backbone of soups, over steak, as a side dish at your cookout or even as a “burger option” for your vegetarian friends.
- Cut the sweet onions in even thicknesses and separate out the rings
- Cut the sweet onions about ½ inch thick slices
- Use Vidalia Onions when available. Texas Sweets will do as well. Any sweet onion will do in a pinch but Vidalias are the best.
- These Tennessee Onions do not make a custard pie like filling, they simply make baked onions with a cheesy topping – YUM!
- Use the best quality cheese that you can afford for this – it makes a difference.
- Check to see if it needs salt before adding any, cheese and garlic salt are both salty already
- Be sure to prepare your dish with non-stick cooking spray, it helps with prep time and clean up.
- Just bake until the onions are soft - this might be 35-40 minutes, but if your slices are thinner, it will be done sooner.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Sprinkle with your choice of fresh herbs
Serving Suggestions
So, you are probably wondering how to serve this fabulous Tennessee Onion Bake. Vidalia onions in this baked Tennessee Onions dish are TERRIFIC with Hangry Hamburgers, Potato Salad and a green caprese salad with a dessert of Banana Pudding
Here's How You Do It
STEP 1. First cut the onions into ½ inch rounds and layer in the baking dish.
STEP 2. Place pats of butter, shredded cheese and herbs on top of the onions.
Part 3. Bake in the oven!
STEP 4. Enjoy!!!
Watch Sarah Make Tennessee Onions
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Tennessee Onions
Ingredients
- 2-3 whole Vidalia onions or any sweet onion will do
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese the better quality, the better taste
- 1 Cup shredded mozzarella Cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh oregano or other herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Using non-stick cooking spray, prepare a 9x9 (or 9x13) baking dish.
- Heat oven to 350
- Slice the Vidalia onions in ¼ to ½ inch slices and separate the rings.
- Lay the rings in the prepared baking dish
- Sprinkle the onion rings with garlic salt (about 1 tsp), pepper (about ½ tsp).
- Cut the butter into pats and place around the dish on top of the onions.
- Spread the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on top of the onions and then top with the grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 350 uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese has started to brown (browned cheese bits is one of the best parts!)
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool for a few minutes, garnish with some fresh herbs (oregano, chives, thyme all work well) and then serve.
Notes
- Serve Tennessee Onions over hamburgers, over steak, as a side dish at your cookout or even as a “burger option” for your vegetarian friends.
- Cut the sweet onions in even thicknesses and separate out the rings
- Cut the sweet onions about ½ inch thick
- Use Vidalia Onions when available. Texas Sweets will do as well. Any sweet onion will do in a pinch but Vidalias are the best.
- These Tennessee Onions do not make a custard pie like filling, they simply make baked onions with a cheesy topping - YUM!
- Use the best quality cheese that you can afford for this - it makes a difference.
- Check to see if it needs salt before adding any, cheese and garlic salt are both salty already
Nutrition
A VERSE TO SHARE
The folks in the Bible eating Manna for all those days reminds me how thankful I am for things like Tennessee Onions, cheesy, tangy, flavorful. Thank God for manna and thank good for onions!
John 6:31
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
***THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED BY WENDI WITH NEW INFORMATION***
Phyllis Stevens says
I love recipes
Great food, good health,good people to share all with.
Wendi Spraker says
Glad you found what you were looking for!
Ruth says
Thank you. I am sure these are great. I appreciate the "Loaves and Dishes" play on words & that you are using scripture along with your recipes !
Wendi Spraker says
Ruth, God guided me to write this website, gave me the gifts to make it happen, I would be remiss if I didn't remember him and share what I've learned and what is on my heart each and every time. I'm so grateful.
Ginny says
Delicious! I had two yellow squash that I sliced up and added to this recipe! Now I’m thinking of other possibilities! Thanks for the recipe!
Wendi Spraker says
Sound delish!
Kathy says
Sounds delicious…think I’ll try them with my ribs!
You are the best! Thank you sincerely for all you do. I feel like you are a friend 😊
Oh! And I’d like the book!
Wendi Spraker says
They really work great with ribs!
Cheryl Ann says
gonna try today!!
Wendi Spraker says
I hope you love them!
Patricia says
Hi Wendi,
Just thinking I’ll try the Tennessee Onions for my daughters bday dinner on Father’s Day. Sounds like an awesome side dish with ribs and potato salad! Thanks for the great recipes and the wise words that make us ponder things in our hearts. I actually think I too would have gotten tired of Manna, and probably complained. It’s easy for us to say they were complaining when they should have been thankful. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had days of eating the same soup for a week and that seemed never ending! Well enough of that for now, God Bless you and yours.
Patricia (from Wisconsin)
Bobbie says
I am so trying this recipe. I love love onions.
Wendi Spraker says
Great! I hope you loved it!
Elizabeth Eberhardt says
The reason that these onions are called Vidalia Onions are because they are grown in Vidalia, Georgia.
The soil there makes them sweet!
Bonnie Morse says
Quick, easy and delicious!
Wendi Spraker says
Thank you Bonnie and thanks for coming back and leaving a comment!
Jan S says
Absolutely insanely delicious! I had a nice chunk of gruyere in the fridge, so I used that. What an amazing side dish. We've recently been able to get Goldies onions from WinnDixie here in NWFL and they were perfect! YUMMY!
Wendi Spraker says
Oh man! Gruyere cheese sounds wonderful with this recipe! Glad you loved it!
Pamela says
Love love love Visalia’s I have stored mine this way for a long time. It works and gets you through the winter with these wonderful onions!
Have a blessed day.
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Pamela, Have a great week!
Jack T Cavanaugh says
Haven't made it yet but going to, it looks delicious. My wife and I love onions and I love to cook. I LOVE the fact that you incorporate Scripture verses in your post. That is a pretty good indication that you are a Christian which is super great. Hope you and your family have blessed day!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Jack! Thanks for leaving a comment and some stars. I appreciate it. I hope you love the dish. Yes, I'm a Christian, but not a preachy one. I just try to share my latest, "here's what I'm thinking about" and you can see if you are thinking about it too. Have an excellent week! 🙂
Pam Lebreck says
I love onions! Tonight, we dine! Thx so much for this recipe..never thought to do this before...tonight will be different.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Pam, GREAT! I hope you love them!
June says
Looking forward to tasteing this
Wendi Spraker says
Hi June! That's great! I hope you enjoy it!
Jen K says
This is my new favorite side dish! Ate it with pork chops but can't wait to try it on burgers! Love the verse too!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Jen! So glad I could help with a love for Vidalias! Thank you so much for leaving a comment and a star rating!