Tennessee Onions with Melted Cheese

I’m not saying Tennessee Onions with Melted Cheese will solve all your life problems, but it will make your kitchen smell like heaven and your guests forget you once burned toast to an abstract art piece. It’s basically a soulful pile of caramelized onions cuddling with gooey cheese and a tiny Southern wink — comfort food that strolls in wearing cowboy boots. Try it because it’s ridiculous, delicious, and somehow classy enough for company but lazy enough for weeknight survival.

Confession: I tried flipping this in the pan once like a pro. The onion cascade across the stove had other plans. I spent ten minutes scooping stray onions off the counter with a spatula and my husband (bless him) applauded as if I’d performed an interpretive cooking dance. The kids thought it was a game and attempted to collect the fallen pieces for “seasoning.” Lesson learned: smaller pan, less drama. Also, never trust yourself when you’ve had exactly one glass of wine before cooking.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use pre-sliced onions from the grocery if you’re running late. Yes, it’s cheating. Yes, I judge you and then I do it too.
– Skip slow caramelizing: toss the onions in a hot pan with a pinch of sugar and a splash of water, cover for a few minutes, then uncover to finish. Cheaper than therapy.
– Melt cheese under the broiler in the baking dish instead of individually plating — fewer pans, fewer tears.
– Use a nonstick pan to avoid the “onion archaeologist” phase where you scrape burnt bits for an hour.

Serving Ideas

– Serve on toasted baguette slices for an instant party—no one needs to know you microwaved the garlic butter.
– Top burgers or steaks with a generous pile, then watch your guests worship you (or at least ask for the recipe twice).
– Serve with a cold beer if someone parked in your spot, or with wine if the kids drove you to the brink.
– Keep it simple: bowl of onions, slab of bread, ten minutes, zero fuss.

What to Serve It With

– Grilled burgers, of course — because cheese-onion synergy is non-negotiable.
– Crusty bread or crackers for scooping when you’re pretending it’s a dip.
– A bright green salad to pretend you’re balancing out the indulgence.
– Roasted chicken — slap some on top and call it gourmet.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t rush caramelization. Well, you can rush it, but you’ll end up with sad, half-cooked onion chunks and a dramatic sigh from your stove.
– Use a wide pan so the onions can spread out. Overcrowding = steaming, not browning.
– Salt near the end of browning to avoid drawing out too much liquid too soon. I learned this after creating the only onion soup casserole known to cause confusion.
– Cheese choice matters: a melty cheese like cheddar, fontina, or provolone works best. Feta is a mood, not a melter.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven so the cheese doesn’t turn into a rubber souvenir.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tennessee Onions with Melted Cheese

A delicious dish of caramelized onions topped with gooey melted cheese.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 3 large yellow onions sliced thinly
• ▢ 2 tbsp butter unsalted
• ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or your favorite cheese
• ▢ 0.5 tsp salt adjust to taste
• ▢ 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the sliced onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir well.
• Cover and cook for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are golden and caramelized.
• Remove the lid, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the onions, and cover again for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Notes

Serve hot as a side dish or a topping for burgers. For added flavor, sprinkle with fresh herbs!