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Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Onions
Peel and slice the sweet onions into ¼-inch thick rings. Separate the onion rings and arrange them evenly in the greased baking dish. These sweet onions will soften and become even sweeter as they bake, creating the perfect base for the dish.
Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce
Cheese
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir the mixture until well combined. The sauce should be thick and creamy, which will melt into the onions as they bake.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
Pour the cheese mixture evenly over the onion rings in the baking dish, making sure the onions are well coated. The creamy sauce will seep into the onions as they cook, giving them a delicious, cheesy flavor.
Step 5: Add the Topping
In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crackers are coated. Sprinkle the buttery cracker topping evenly over the top of the onions and cheese mixture. This will add a crunchy, golden crust to the dish as it bakes.
Step 6: Bake the Tennessee Onions
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the onions are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. The cracker topping should be crispy and lightly browned.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. If desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added flavor. Serve the Tennessee Onions hot as a side dish for your favorite meal.
Cooking Notes:
Onions: Vidalia onions work best due to their natural sweetness, but you can use any variety of sweet onions.
Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby for a slightly different flavor.
Cracker Topping: If you prefer a different texture, you can substitute panko breadcrumbs for the Ritz crackers.
Cheese
Variations:
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