Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole

Sweet Vidalia onions are the star of this tasty Southern casserole.  Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole bakes up creamy, cheesy, and loaded with sweet onion flavor.  It's a perfect down-home side to pair with Easter dinner ham, pork chops, a juicy steak, or even those summer burgers.
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You know, we tend to think of onions in a flavor-boosting supporting role when we cook.  But they can sure be a superstar in their own right, too.

I must admit whenever I make a dish that places onions in the starring role, I wonder why I don't do it more often.  Sides like boiled onions, baked onions, and creamed pearl onion gratin are some of our absolute favorites.  And when it comes to parties and game-day snacking? -- Hot onion souffle dip just can't be beat.

Vidalia onions do a fabulous job in the starring role of this cheesy Southern casserole.

And it's no different with this Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole. -- Those onions do a fabulous job in the starring role of this creamy cheesy casserole.

Vidalia onions are a specific variety of sweet onions, grown only in the state of Georgia.  It's said that the lower sulfur level in Georgia's soil where the onions are grown is what produced the milder, sweeter onions that came to be known as Vidalias.

That being said, other varieties of sweet onions such as Walla Walla or Texas Spring can absolutely be used in their place in this casserole.  And in a pinch if you don't mind a more pungent onion flavor, you could use regular yellow onions as well. -- The flavor just won't be as mildly-onion.

This Vidalia Onion Casserole bakes up into a creamy, cheesy tender onion filling topped with buttery cracker topping.  It's loaded with fabulous onion goodness that's not at all harsh or biting in flavor.

To create the casserole's tender onion texture, the Vidalia onions are sliced in slivers to keep them somewhat substantial in size without being too big to cook up nice and soft.

Vidalia onions are sliced in slivers to keep them somewhat substantial in size without being too big to cook up nice and soft. 

The onion slivers are then simmered for a few minutes to pre-cook them before being mixed into the casserole's filling.

To slice an onion in slivers, start by cutting off both the root and stem ends.  Then cut the onion in half, cutting through the just-removed ends.  Peel off the outer skin.

Set each half, cut-side down, on a cutting board.  Then, cutting through the removed ends, slice the onion halves into slivers.

The slivers should be about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick.

For this recipe, slice up 4 large Vidalia onions.  So you'll end up with a pretty good-sized pile of onion slivers.

To pre-cook the onions, place the slivers in a saucepan and add water to just barely cover the onions.  Bring the pot to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer the onions for 8 minutes.  Then drain them very well.

While the onions are still hot, toss them with a couple tablespoons of butter.

Then mix the cooked drained onions with evaporated milk, beaten eggs, some crumbled Ritz crackers, shredded cheddar cheese, and a little touch of salt and pepper.

Pour the onion mixture into a greased 13x9-inch baking dish, and top it with a sprinkling of buttered Ritz cracker crumbs.

Then bake the casserole up until the filling is set and the cracker topping is a nice golden brown.

The result is a creamy, cheesy tender onion filling that's loaded with fabulous onion flavor.  One where Vidalia onions definitely play the starring, rather than the supporting, role.

And I must say, those onions indeed do a fabulous job starring in this cheesy down-home Southern casserole.

Check out these other super tasty onion dishes:

• Baked Onions
• Baked Onions in the Microwave
• Boiled Onions
• Cheesy Sweet Onion Bake
• Creamed Pearl Onion Gratin
• Marinated Vidalia Onion Salad
• Marinated Vidalia Onion & Tomato Sandwich
• Hot Onion Souffle Dip
• Sausage & Balsamic-Caramelized Onion Pizza
• More side dishes

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Vidalia onion casserole recipe, sweet onion casserole, Southern onion casserole recipe, recipes with Vidalia onions

Side Dishes

Southern

Yield: about 8 to 10 servings

Author: Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole

Sweet Vidalia onions are the star of this tasty Southern casserole. Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole bakes up creamy, cheesy, and loaded with sweet onion flavor. It's a perfect down-home side to pair with Easter dinner ham, pork chops, a juicy steak, or even those summer burgers.

Prep time: 20 MCook time: 55 MTotal time: 75 M

Ingredients:

Casserole Filling:

• 4 large Vidalia onions
• 2 T. unsalted butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 (5 oz.) can evaporated milk
• 1 c. crumbled Ritz crackers
• 1 1/2 c. (6 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper

Crumb Topping:

• 1 c. crumbled Ritz crackers
• 3 T. unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

How to make Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole

Prepare Casserole Filling:

1. Slice off root and stem end of onions; cut onions in half from top to bottom (slicing through the root and stem ends) and remove outer skins.  Place onion halves on cutting board with cut sides down and chop onion halves into slivers about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick.
2. Place onions in a saucepan and add water to just cover.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 8 minutes.  Drain well.
3. Toss warm onions with the 2 tablespoons butter.
4. While onions cook, beat the eggs and evaporated milk together in a large bowl.
5. Add the warm cooked onions, cracker crumbs, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper.  Stir to combine.
6. Place onion mixture in a 9x13-inch baking dish coated with non-stick cooking spray. 

Prepare Crumb Topping:

1. Combine cracker crumbs and melted butter.  
2. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the casserole.

Bake:

1. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, until set in the middle and golden brown.

TRACEY'S NOTES:

1. Other varieties of sweet onions such as Walla Walla or Texas Spring can be used in place of the Vidalias. 
2. In a pinch if you don't mind a more pungent onion flavor, you could use regular yellow onions as well. -- The flavor just won't be as mildly-onion.

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You might also like these other tasty vegetable casserole recipes:

Broccoli-Rice Casserole

Corn Fritter Casserole

Creamy Broccoli Casserole

Cheesy Fiesta Corn Casserole

Classic Green Bean Casserole

Ma's Mashed Summer Squash Casserole

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This post is linked with Weekend Potluck, Meal Plan Monday.