It’s no secret here on the blog that onions are my favorite vegetable. I know that’s probably weird, but I love them—especially Vidalia onions, the ultimate Southern treat! This Tennessee Onions recipe couldn’t be simpler; I like this one so much because it really celebrates my favorite veggie and lets the texture and sweet flavor of Vidalia onions shine. Baked with two types of cheese, butter, and simple seasonings, these Tennessee onions are a cheesy, rich, and incredibly easy side dish for weeknight dinners, the holidays, or potlucks!
Vidalia onions are the real star of this onion casserole. They’re famously sweet because they’re grown in the sandy soil of southeast Georgia around Vidalia, Georgia. That unique, low-sulfur soil keeps their flavor mild and mellow, rather than sharp or spicy. And fun fact…only onions grown in 20 specific counties in Georgia can legally be called “Vidalia.”
Vidalia onions can be a little pricier than yellow onions, but my local grocery store sells them in 3lb. bags for a great deal. You can make this recipe for Tennessee onions using whatever onions you have on hand, though! It might be a little spicy if you use a white or red onion, but Vidalia or yellow onions always turn out subtly sweet, just the way we like our hot and cheesy Tennessee onions to taste!
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Gather all your ingredients and preheat your oven to 375°F. Place 1 stick salted butter in the freezer to firm up while you prep the onions.
Slice the onions: Peel and slice 5 Vidalia onions into ½ inch thick rings.
Season the onions: Add your onion slices to a 9×13” baking dish and toss with ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Don’t worry if your dish seems really full! The onions will cook down in the oven.
Shred the cheese: Grate 8 oz. Gouda and 8 oz. cheddar cheese and toss them together to combine.
Grate the butter: Take your butter out of the freezer and grate it carefully. I like to grate my butter because I find it does a better job of coating the onions instead of dotting the top with larger cubes!
Add the cheese and butter: Now, sprinkle the shredded cheeses on top of the onions in the baking dish. Then, evenly top with the shredded butter.
Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Then remove the foil and bake for a further 15 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!
These Tennessee onions are probably one of the easiest side dishes you could make for the holidays. All you need to do is slice the onions and layer them in a baking dish with seasonings, cheese, and butter! I think you’ll love them with roasted turkey breast or a tender pot roast. They’d also work well with spinach-stuffed chicken breasts or a hearty lentil loaf during the week. Or serve them in hamburgers or sandwiches for an extra-rich, melty layer of flavor!
Tennessee onions are best enjoyed hot out of the oven, so I highly recommend only making as much as you plan to eat fresh! The texture and flavor are at their best when the cheese is gooey and the onions are tender right after baking. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave until warmed through.
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