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***
Nathan says
Enjoying the recipe ...look forward to your comments from scripture
Wendi Spraker says
Glad you are enjoying it!
Sean says
Can this recipe be halved, and if so, what other adjustments should be made? Or, if I make a whole batch, can they be eaten left over? If so, how would you recommend reheating them? Thanks! I love onions, but my wife doesn’t, so I haven’t been eating them much for the past 30 years. But, it’s now or never! Thanks again!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Sean! Thanks for asking! Yes! This can be halved, no problem. Simply halve the other ingredients. It does save well in the fridge for about 5 days and you can reheat by placing in a 350 degree oven for 10ish minutes or by microwaving till hot. We enjoy them as a side dish, on burgers, cut up into an omelet, as a vegetarian sandwich with a slice of fresh tomato. I've even cut them up into grits. Literally anything you might eat with onion and cheese in it (that's nearly everything around here). If you are going to get out one serving to put on a sandwich of some type, just remove what you are going to eat and place into a skillet with a tablespoon of hot vegetable oil over medium heat on the stove top. Cook for a few minutes this way until heated through.
Gail says
What a great recipe and idea for serving over hamburgers.
Also, love what the Bible says about onions. Keep giving us history like this. THANKS!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Gail, Thank you!
Lori says
This was delicious. Used cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese and Italian blend cheese used two very large Visalia onions. Big hit. First time making it!
Wendi Spraker says
Great!!!
Brigitte says
This is soooooooooooooo good totally addictive !
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks! I love it too!
Charles says
I am 70 and one of the only things I can still do, is cook, So I enjoy recipes like this.
I just made a kalbasa sausage and green beans and potato casserole that was very good.
After I make these onion casserole, I will share with you.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Charles! Please do share it with me, I would love to see!
MJ says
I am thankful that you shared your recipe with us. These are absolutely delicious I usually around 500 pounds of caramelized vidalia onions which I freeze and and then I take around 150 pounds I dehydrate them. The first thing we have is a bowl of French onion soup.
Wendi Spraker says
Wow! That is a LOT of onions! I would be dehydrating them too just for space reasons!
Janice L says
I can’t wait to try this!
Wendi Spraker says
I hope you love it as much as we do!
Bev says
Definitely 5 stars! I've been wanting to try this for awhile. Made it today to go with smoked beef short ribs. It smelled so good while it was baking. I tossed the onions with the seasonings & included dried oregano & dried thyme from our garden. I also sprinkled the cheeses between my two layers of onions and on top. Such a simple but absolutely delicious dish! Thank you! 😋 Will be making it again & again!
Wendi Spraker says
That's fantastic!
Bev says
Definitely 5 stars! I've been wanting to try this for awhile. Made it today to go with smoked beef short ribs. It smelled so good while it was baking. I tossed the onions with the seasonings & included dried oregano & dried thyme from our garden. I also sprinkled the cheeses between my two layers of onions and on top. Such a simple but absolutely delicious dish! Thank you! 😋 Will be making it again & again!
Wendi Spraker says
Great Bev! I'm glad to hear it!
Licia says
perfect easy side dish t serve with any meat dish in my house
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Licia! Glad you are enjoying it!
Libby says
This has become a go to for us! I haven’t put it on a burger yet but often fix it as a side dish.
Wendi Spraker says
I'm so glad to hear this! Thank you for coming back and leaving a comment!
Genie says
Absolutely scrumptious dish! Do use a really good quality cheese, it makes a world of difference. Can’t wait to try this on burgers!
Wendi Spraker says
Yes, that's absolutely true. Thank you for the reminder.
Michael says
Onions add a wonderful flavor to many dishes. Thanks for the upload.
Wendi Spraker says
You are very welcome!
Serena says
These are now very popular at my home after the first batch. Truly delicious cheese! An instant classic.
Wendi Spraker says
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂