Description
A delicious and cheesy baked twist on traditional onion rings, these Tennessee Onions feature sweet onions layered with a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic, thyme, and butter, then baked until golden, bubbly, and tender.
Ingredients
Scale
Onions
- 3 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia), sliced into ½-inch rings
Cheese Mixture
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoned Butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Onion Rings: Separate the sliced sweet onions into individual rings to ensure even cooking and layering.
- Make Seasoned Butter: In a small bowl, combine melted butter with garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Toss the onion rings in this mixture thoroughly to coat them evenly.
- Mix Cheeses: In a separate bowl, mix together shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and grated Parmesan cheeses until well combined.
- Layer First Half: Spread half of the seasoned onion rings evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over these onions to start building layers.
- Layer Second Half: Add the remaining buttered onion rings on top, then cover completely with the remaining cheese mixture for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the onions are tender and the cheese is bubbly, melted, and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to set. Serve hot as a delicious cheesy side or snack.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Ensure onions are separated completely to help them cook evenly and absorb the seasoned butter.
- Feel free to substitute or add other cheeses based on preference, such as mozzarella for extra meltiness.
- Serve as a side dish or a comforting snack alternative to traditional fried onion rings.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Tennessee onions, baked onion rings, cheesy onions, sweet onions, cheese baked onions, side dish, comfort food
