Tennessee Onions Better Than Onion Rings

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6-8
Difficulty: Easy
Category: Side Dish

Description

If you love onion rings, you’ll go crazy for this Tennessee Onions recipe! Thinly sliced sweet onions are smothered in a rich, cheesy, buttery sauce and baked until golden and bubbly. This dish is even better than classic fried onion rings—so flavorful, tender, and irresistible! Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or as a side for grilled meats.

Ingredients

• 3 large sweet onions (Vidalia or Texas Sweet work best)

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, sliced into thin pats

• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Onions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Peel the onions and slice them into ¼-inch thick rounds. Separate the rings gently.

2. Layer the Onions & Butter

• In a 9×13-inch baking dish, arrange the onion rings in an even layer.

• Place thin pats of butter evenly over the onions.

3. Mix the Cheesy Sauce

• In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and thyme (if using).

• Spread this mixture evenly over the onions.

4. Add the Cheeses

• Sprinkle cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.

5. Bake to Perfection

• Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

• If desired, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crispiness.

6. Garnish & Serve

• Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.

• Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approx. ½ cup)

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient brands.

Tips & Variations

• Extra Crunch: Add a ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs on top before baking.

• Spicy Kick: Mix in ½ tsp cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños for heat.

• Bacon Lovers: Top with crumbled bacon before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Creamy, cheesy, and buttery—way better than fried onion rings!
✔ Easy to make with simple ingredients.
✔ Perfect for gatherings—always a crowd-pleaser!

Try this Tennessee Onions recipe today, and you’ll never look at onion rings the same way again!