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Tennessee Onions Cheesy Baked Onion Side Dish

Sweet caramelized onions baked with a creamy cheesy sauce and topped with golden breadcrumbs for a comforting Southern-style side dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 310

Ingredients
  

Onion Base
  • 6 large sweet onions sliced into thick rings
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
Cheese Layer
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan
Topping
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs panko or regular
  • 2 tbsp melted butter for topping
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Slice the onions into thick rings, about 1/2 inch thick.
  3. In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 12–15 minutes until soft and golden.
  4. Season onions with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
  5. Add heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Layer half the onions in the baking dish, add half the cheddar and mozzarella. Repeat with remaining onions and cheese.
  7. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the top.
  8. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Broil 2–3 minutes for extra crispiness.
  9. Remove from oven, garnish with parsley, and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream or reduce cheese amount. Add bacon for extra flavor.