The Southern Side Dish That Starts With Butter, Cheese, And A Whole Bunch Of Onions

If you love onions, you're no stranger to the many ways they can be dressed up and cooked to maximize their flavor. Whether sweet or yellow, they provide a sharp kick when raw and a lovely, melty sweetness when caramelized. One Southern onion recipe that can upgrade your next entree as a topping or work well as a side dish is Tennessee onions. Three essential ingredients form this savory casserole — cheese, butter, and several pounds of large, sweet onions, preferably Vidalia.

Vidalia onions are the go-to pick for this recipe because cooking them develops their natural sweetness even further, creating a well-rounded flavor profile when combined with cheese and a range of spices. They're common in Southern cooking due to their origins. They were first grown in Georgia in the 1930s, gaining their unique flavor from the low-sulfur soil in the region. Vidalia onions spread across the South as growers began marketing them more widely in the 1970s. How the casserole originated is harder to pin down, but its ingredients, even down to the spices, are largely the same among Southern cooks.

The common spices used for Tennessee onions are paprika, dry mustard, cayenne or Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Brown sugar is also typically used in this recipe. Fresh or dried herbs incorporate additional flavor and color; these can vary, but oregano and thyme are great choices for their strong aromatic qualities. Once you have the base ingredients on hand, putting the casserole together is easy.

The onion rings need to be thin for the casserole to cook evenly, so slice and separate them by hand, or use a mandoline for quicker preparation. Tossed in butter or oil and seasoned, those softened rounds are paired with the dish's other star ingredient: cheese. The type depends on your taste, but the base is typically cheddar (mild or sharp). Gouda and mozzarella also show up in this dish often. In general, choose cheeses that melt well; you don't want any half-melted clumps throughout. For the topping, sprinkle on more of the same, or grate parmesan for a sharp twist that balances the sweetness.

To achieve that signature finish, dotting the casserole with butter allows the onions to turn completely tender beneath a bubbling, golden-brown crust. Use your savory Tennessee onions as a topping for hamburgers, pork chops, baked ham, or chicken, or eat them alone to fully enjoy the flavors. A true crowd-pleaser, this casserole will fit right in with the other delicious Southern dishes at your next potluck.

@britscookin

I don't know why these are called Tennessee onions... I kinda wanted to call them onion au gratin. BUT honestly could've ate these straight out the baking dish. So cheesy, buttery, and flavorful!! These would be good served with so many different things. 🧅 @Shuman Farms Ingredients: * 3–4 large sweet onions, thinly sliced * 2 tbsp olive oil * 1 tsp smoked paprika * 1 tsp black pepper * 1 tbsp Britscookin Cajun Seasoning * 1/2 tbsp Britscookin Garlic & Herb * 1/2 tbsp brown sugar * 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese * 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese * 3 tbsp butter, sliced into pats Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Add sliced onions to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, black pepper, Cajun seasoning, Garlic & Herb, and brown sugar. Toss until well coated. 3. Layer half of the onions into a greased baking dish. Top with half of the cheddar cheese. 4. Repeat with remaining onions and cheddar cheese. 5. Top with parmesan cheese and pats of butter. 6. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes. 7. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. 8. Serve over pork chops, chicken, steak, or with toasted bread! #comfortfood #southernrecipes #yum #food

♬ original sound – britscookin