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Tennessee Onions – The Cheesy Baked Side Dish Better Than Onion Rings

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Tennessee Onions are a cheesy, baked side dish that rivals traditional onion rings. Packed with flavor, this dish combines sweet onions, melted cheese, turkey bacon, and chicken ham to create a comforting, versatile, and crowd-pleasing recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners, holiday meals, or as an appetizer, Tennessee Onions are simple to prepare yet indulgent enough to impress any guest.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large sweet onions, sliced into thick rings
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheese blend of your choice)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 4 slices chicken ham, diced
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Peel and slice the sweet onions into 1/2-inch thick rings.
  3. Cook the turkey bacon in a skillet until crisp, drain, and crumble.
  4. Dice the chicken ham and lightly sauté in the same skillet.
  5. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  6. Lightly grease a baking dish with butter or olive oil. Arrange onion rings in a single layer.
  7. Sprinkle the crumbled turkey bacon and diced chicken ham evenly over the onions.
  8. Pour the beef broth lightly over the onions.
  9. In a separate bowl, combine shredded cheese and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture over the onions.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until onions are tender, cheese is melted, and breadcrumbs are golden brown.
  11. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Pre-cooked turkey bacon saves time.

Customize the cheese or add extra vegetables for variety.

Make it spicy by adding cayenne pepper or red chili flakes.

  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 30

Find it online: https://recipesmars.com/2025/08/tennessee-onions-the-cheesy-baked-side-dish-better-than-onion-rings/