Description
Comfort comes straight from Grandma’s kitchen with this sweet onion casserole that melts together golden caramelized onions and a creamy cheese sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, this hearty side dish delivers pure Southern comfort in just one delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large Vidalia onions
- 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
- 3 large eggs
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Topping:
- 2 cups crumbled Ritz crackers
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place 4 large Vidalia onions (sliced ¼-inch thick) in a saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and simmer for exactly 8 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
- Toss the drained onions with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter until each slice is evenly coated.
- Whisk 3 large eggs and 5 ounces of evaporated milk in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper to the egg mixture. Stir gently to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Fold in 1 ½ cups of grated cheddar cheese and 1 cup of crumbled Ritz crackers into the egg mixture. Blend until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Transfer the onion-cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Prepare the topping by mixing 3 tablespoons of melted butter with 1 cup of crumbled Ritz crackers. Sprinkle this mixture completely over the casserole.
- Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a set center. Remove from the oven when the casserole is perfectly golden and bubbling.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia for the best mild, rich flavor that makes this casserole extra special.
- Drain the onions thoroughly after boiling to prevent excess water from making the casserole soggy.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular cracker crumbs with gluten-free crackers or crushed gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If preparing ahead, assemble the casserole and refrigerate, then add the crumb topping just before baking to keep the crumbs crisp and crunchy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 53 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 277 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 476 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg