One-Dish Tennessee Onions is a delightful, easy-to-make dish that brings warmth and comfort to any table. This recipe shines with its layers of sweet Vidalia onions smothered in gooey cheese and seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices. It’s an incredible way to elevate a simple vegetable into a hearty and satisfying meal.

Reasons to try it

You will love this recipe for its simplicity and flavor. Made with just a few ingredients, One-Dish Tennessee Onions is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual family brunch. The combination of soft, sweet onions and sharp cheesy goodness not only makes it a hit with adults but also with kids. This dish is quick to prepare and involves minimal cleanup, making it a fantastic choice for busy days when you want something delicious without the fuss.

How this recipe comes together

Making One-Dish Tennessee Onions is straightforward and requires only a few steps. First, you’ll prepare your baking dish with a bit of cooking spray and preheat your oven. While the oven heats up, you’ll mix together a variety of dried herbs and spices that will add incredible flavor to the onions. Next, you’ll layer the sliced onions in the baking dish, sprinkle the seasoning, add the cheese, and top it off with slices of butter. Cover everything with foil and bake to perfection, letting the flavors meld together.

Ingredients:

Cooking spray
3 large Vidalia onions (about 2 ½ lb), sliced to ¼-inch thickness
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp mustard powder
½ tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 tbsp butter, sliced
1 cup sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
1 cup Gouda, freshly shredded

Directions:

Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350°F.
Spray a large sheet of foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking to the cheese.
In a small bowl, combine the dried basil, oregano, parsley flakes, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
Place the sliced onions in a bowl and sprinkle the spice mix over them. Toss to coat and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese over the onions and place butter slices on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the cheese is slightly brown and crispy.

How to serve One-Dish Tennessee Onions

Once baked, serve One-Dish Tennessee Onions as a side dish alongside grilled meats, roasted chicken, or as a hearty component in a vegetarian meal. It pairs well with a crisp salad or crusty bread.

How to store One-Dish Tennessee Onions

To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Tips to make One-Dish Tennessee Onions

For added flavor, consider using a mix of different cheeses such as Monterey Jack or Fontina.
If you want a bit more heat, you can add more red pepper flakes into the spice mix.
Make sure to slice the onions evenly for consistent cooking.

Variation

This dish can easily be customized. You could add in cooked bacon or sausage for a meaty version, or incorporate other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for added texture and flavor.

FAQs

Can I use other types of onions?

Yes, while Vidalia onions are sweet and perfect for this dish, you can use other types of onions like yellow or white onions. Keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dish, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a day before baking. Just remember to adjust the baking time if it’s going in the oven cold.

Is this recipe suitable for freezing?

Yes, One-Dish Tennessee Onions can be frozen. Allow it to cool, then transfer to an airtight container. It should maintain good quality for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from the freezer, adjusting the cooking time as needed.

One-Dish Tennessee Onions

A delightful one-dish meal featuring layers of sweet Vidalia onions, gooey cheese, and a blend of herbs and spices.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1 10

Total Time 1 20

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

3 large large Vidalia onions, sliced to ¼-inch thickness About 2 ½ lbs
1 cup sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
1 cup Gouda, freshly shredded
4 tbsp butter, sliced

Spices

1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes Add more for extra heat
½ tsp mustard powder
½ tsp salt
to taste freshly ground black pepper

Other

cooking spray For greasing the baking dish and foil

Method

Preparation

Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350°F.
Spray a large sheet of foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking to the cheese.
In a small bowl, combine the dried basil, oregano, parsley flakes, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper.
Place the sliced onions in a bowl and sprinkle the spice mix over them. Toss to coat and transfer to the prepared baking dish.

Cooking

Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese over the onions and place butter slices on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the cheese is slightly brown and crispy.

Notes

Serve as a side dish alongside grilled meats, roasted chicken, or as a hearty component in a vegetarian meal. You can customize it by adding cooked bacon or sausage for a meaty version, or other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.