A creamy, savory casserole using large, sweet onions typical of Tennessee cooking.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:50 min
Total Time:70 min
Yield:6 servings
Category:Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Southern USA
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
4 large sweet onions (Tennessee or similar variety), thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 cups whole milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup crushed butter crackers (like Ritz)
2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring often, until they are soft and translucent, about 15 to 20 minutes. Do not brown them.
In a separate saucepan, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Gently fold the cooked onions into the cheese sauce. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
Use fresh, locally grown sweet onions for the best flavor profile.
If you prefer a crispier topping, you can add 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs to the cracker mixture.
This casserole pairs well with smoked meats or grilled chicken.