Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole

March 23, 2020
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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Vidalia Onion Casserole on Serving Spoon Image

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.

Vidalia Onion Casserole in Baking Dish Image

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.

Vidalia Sweet Onion Cut in Half Image

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

Cutting Vidalia Sweet Onion into Slivers Image

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.

Vidalia Sweet Onion Cut Into Slivers Image

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.

How to Make Vidalia Onion Casserole Image

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

Vidalia Onion Casserole Cracker Crumb Topping Image

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

Vidalia Onion Casserole Cracker Crumb Topping Baked Golden Brown Image

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.

Vidalia Onion Casserole Image
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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

Southern Vidalia Onion Casserole

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.
Created using The Recipes Generator

This post is linked with Weekend PotluckMeal Plan Monday.


10 comments

  1. That looks and sounds so good - printing it right off. Have a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tracey what a great idea to add ritz crackers to this dish. We often make onions in cheese sauce but never thought to make a topping for it. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday (I couldn't find your party link up page?). Have a great weekend.

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  3. Your Vidalia Onion Casserole will be a great side dish for any occasion.Hope you are having a great week. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us real soon!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at The Blogger's Pit Stop!

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  5. Being on a low carb diet, I used table cream for the milk and pork rind crumbles for the crackers. A Memorial Day hit at our gathering.

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  6. I don't think I've ever had onions prepared this way - au gratin - but it sounds and looks like I need to try them! Thanks for sharing this at the What's for Dinner party! Glad you're part of the fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let know how it turns out. Thank you for allowing us the recipe turns out; we hope you enjoy.

      Delete
  7. This is excellent. I just made a 1/2 recipe potion. Both my husband and I LOVE it. It will be added to my favorites

    ReplyDelete

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