Tennessee Onion Casserole

75 mins
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Peel and slice 3 pounds of sweet onions on a mandoline to about a quarter of an inch thick, ensuring they are uniform and thin.
  2. 2Toss all the sliced onions together in a bowl to break up the rings.
  3. 3Prepare the spice blend by combining 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard, 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, 0.5 teaspoon of cayenne, and 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves in a bowl.
  4. 4Mix the spice blend together.
  5. 5Drizzle 2 tablespoons of good quality olive oil over the sliced onions.
  6. 6Toss the onions with the olive oil to coat them.
  7. 7Sprinkle about half of the spice and herb mixture over the onions.
  8. 8Toss the onions with your hands to distribute the spice mixture evenly.
  9. 9Sprinkle the remaining half of the spice mixture over the onions.
  10. 10Toss the onions again to ensure even coating.
  11. 11Grease a 13x9 baking dish.
  12. 12Place a layer of seasoned onions on the bottom of the baking dish.
  13. 13Add 2 ounces of freshly grated Tillamook mild cheddar cheese over the onion layer.
  14. 14Add 2 ounces of freshly grated Gruyère cheese over the cheddar.
  15. 15Add another layer of seasoned onions on top of the cheeses.
  16. 16Add another 2 ounces of freshly grated Tillamook mild cheddar cheese.
  17. 17Add the remaining 2 ounces of freshly grated Gruyère cheese.
  18. 18Sprinkle about a half cup of freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese on top.
  19. 19Dot the top with a total of 3 tablespoons of butter cut into small pieces.
  20. 20Tightly cover the baking dish with foil.
  21. 21Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.
  22. 22Remove the foil after 45 minutes.
  23. 23Return the casserole to the oven for another 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds sweet onions
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons good quality olive oil
  • 4 ounces Tillamook mild cheddar cheese
  • 4 ounces Gruyère cheese
  • 0.5 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Equipment

mandolinebowl13x9 baking dishoven

Tips

  • The onions should be uniformly and thinly sliced for a silky texture, not crunchy.
  • You can use either light or dark brown sugar.
  • You can use sharp cheddar instead of mild cheddar.
  • You can also use Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano instead of Pecorino Romano cheese.