Tennessee Onions: Old-Fashioned Onion Casserole with Cheddar and Gouda Recipe
Tennessee Onions is a classic Southern onion casserole featuring sweet onions baked with aromatic herbs, spices, butter, and a blend of Cheddar and smoked Gouda cheese. This comforting side dish boasts tender, flavorful onions with a bubbly, golden cheese topping, perfect for holiday dinners or cozy family meals.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern United States
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 2 1/2 lb. sweet onions (about 3 large onions), sliced crosswise into 1/4-in.-thick slices and separated into rings
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp. garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup salted butter, cut into 1/4-in.-thick pieces
- 4 oz. mild Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 4 oz. smoked Gouda cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Warm the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Season the onions: In a large bowl, place the sliced onion rings. Sprinkle the dried thyme, dried parsley flakes, garlic salt, dried oregano, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper over the onions. Toss gently to evenly coat all the onion rings with the seasoning.
- Add to baking dish: Transfer the seasoned onions evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading them out in a single layer for even cooking.
- Add toppings and bake: Distribute the pieces of salted butter evenly over the top of the onions. Sprinkle the shredded mild Cheddar cheese and smoked Gouda cheese evenly over the butter-topped onions. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Bake covered: Place the covered baking dish into the preheated oven and bake until the onions are tender and the sides are bubbly, about 40 minutes.
- Finish baking uncovered: Carefully remove the foil and continue baking at 350°F for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top becomes golden and slightly crisp.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla for best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Ensure the onions are sliced uniformly for even cooking.
- For a sharper cheese flavor, substitute mild Cheddar with sharp Cheddar.
- This casserole pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or as part of a holiday feast.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
