The giant onion. It’s used in almost every savory dish I make, and to be honest, I usually add more than the recipe calls for. I cannot get enough of them, whether raw, sautéed, grilled, or baked. So, when I came across this dish in which onions were the hero, I knew I had to try it. Allow me to introduce you to the wonderful Tennessee Onion Bake.

While I’m not sure where the meal got its moniker, I believe it’s a favorite at summer barbecues and holiday gatherings in the Volunteer State. What dish doesn’t benefit from a healthy side of extremely cheesy onions? Serve them on top of hamburgers or steak, alongside pork chops, or as a Thanksgiving side dish. There is never a bad time for a simple yet delicious dinner like this one!

While this recipe requires only a few ingredients and is as simple to prepare as slicing and layering, it packs a powerful taste punch. Begin by slicing the sweet onions (we used Vidalia, which I highly recommend if they’re in season!) into rings and spreading them out in a preheated baking dish. From there, it’s all about cheese! In this recipe, we utilized a combination of Italian blend and cheddar, but you can’t go wrong with any cheese choice. Asiago, swiss, or even gouda could be interesting options for a distinct flavor profile.