Vidalia Onion Casserole
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you've never tasted a Vidalia Onion Casserole, you're missing out on an old fashioned southern favorite! Caramelized onions surrounded by melted Swiss cheese, a creamy sauce and crunchy bread crumbs is southern comfort food at its finest!
Looking for more southern casseroles? Try this popular Chicken Tater Tot Casserole that's a complete meal in one dish. Or, whip up a Cowboy Cornbread Casserole that's perfect for cowhands of all ages!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Loaded with Flavor: sweet onions combined with a cheesy sauce and crunchy topping is irresistible!
- Versatile and Easy: this southern side dish goes great with beef, poultry, pork and fish and it's super easy to make.
- Meatless Dish: perfect vegetarian casserole to take to a potluck dinner because it's often the star of the show, especially during the holidays.
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card for quantities.
- sweet Vidalia onions - found in southern states, but sweet onions can be substituted
- butter - real salted butter is best
- cream cheese - full fat cream cheese is recommended in this recipe
- half and half cream - can substitute milk if needed
- black pepper - coarse ground pepper is a good choice
- Swiss cheese - the sweet flavor of Swiss cheese gives this casserole a nice touch
- soy sauce - a secret ingredient that adds depth of flavor
- Panko bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers - either works well in this recipe
How to Make Vidalia Onion Casserole
STEP 1 - Start by slicing vidalia onions into rings, then melt butter in a large skillet. Sauté onions in butter until they begin to caramelize and turn a light shade of golden brown.
STEP 2 - Add cream cheese to the skillet with cooked onions and stir until completely melted over medium heat.
STEP 3 - Add a cup of half & half and mix well. Sprinkle a little black pepper into the onion mixture, then add Swiss cheese and stir until melted.
STEP 4 - Grease a medium size 13-inch baking dish. Pour contents of skillet into the dish. Sprinkle soy sauce over the top of the casserole and set aside.
STEP 5 - Make the topping by melting butter with seasoned Panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the casserole. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes until Vidalia Sweet Onion Casserole is bubbly and golden brown.
Recipe FAQs
Vidalia onions are found mostly in the south, and were originally grown in the town of Vidalia, which happens to be in the state of Georgia. Their flavor is unique because they're very sweet compared to other onions. When they're caramelized, the sweet flavor intensifies.
If you can't find vidalia onions in your area, sweet onions are a good substitute. However, using a strong onion will not produce the same results.
Swiss cheese tastes great in this sweet onion casserole, but you could also used cheddar cheese or smoked gouda. Parmesan cheese is also a nice addition.
Soy sauce seems like an odd ingredient, but it adds a depth of flavor that makes a difference. It tastes better if you sprinkle it on the top of the casserole and don't mix it into the other ingredients.
Variations
- The topping can be made with cracker crumbs or Panko bread crumbs mixed with butter. The combination of crunchy and sweet is a real winner!
- Feel free to use sweet onions if you can't find vidalias in your grocery store.
- You could try using Worcestershire sauce instead of soy sauce, but I've never tested it and don't recommend any variations to the original recipe.
Storing and Freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm throughout.
I don't recommend freezing this casserole due to the high content of cream in the recipe. Cream tends to curdle when frozen and thawed out.
What to Serve with Vidalia Onion Casserole
Serve this old fashioned Vidalia Onion Casserole at Thanksgiving with a dutch oven turkey breast and biscuit and cornbread dressing.
It also goes great with dutch oven pork tenderloin, a side of red skin mashed potatoes and southern collard greens with bacon.
More Casseroles to Love
Love casseroles? Check out some of these favorites that are perfect for weekdays, or during holidays like Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas.
Recipe Card
Vidalia Onion Casserole
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
- 4 large Vidalia onions (or substitute sweet onions)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup half & half
- 1 dash freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces swiss cheese (shredded)
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cups Panko bread crumbs (seasoned if desired)
Instructions
- STEP 1 - Preheat oven to 350ºF. Slice vidalia onions into rings, then melt butter in a large skillet. Sauté onions in butter until they begin to caramelize and turn a light shade of brown.
- STEP 2 - Add cream cheese to skillet with cooked onions and stir until completely melted over medium heat.
- STEP 3 - Add a cup of half & half and mix well. Sprinkle a little black pepper into the onion mixture, then add Swiss cheese and stir until melted.
- STEP 4 - Grease a medium size 13-inch baking dish. Pour contents of skillet into the dish. Sprinkle soy sauce over the top of casserole and set aside.
- STEP 5 - Make the topping by melting butter with seasoned Panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the casserole. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- If you can't find Vidalia onions, try any type of sweet onion instead.
- The casserole tastes better if you sprinkle the soy sauce on top of the mixture instead of mixing it in.
- You can use cracker crumbs as a substitute for panko bread crumbs if desired.
- Any type of cheese that melts easily can be substituted for Swiss. However, Swiss cheese is highly recommended!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
Tried this Recipe and Loved It? ❤️ Please scroll down and leave a *STAR* review!
Planning on making for Christmas…..was wondering if I could assemble and
Refrigerate ahead of time and then bake on Christmas Day ❓❓
Yes, you sure can! Just make sure to add the topping later or it won't be as crisp if it sits in the fridge. Enjoy!
Why is soy sauce added after chesse and half and half? What if it was addd while onions are first sautéing with melted butter.
This recipe sounds delicious and can’t wait to surprise my family with it .
Great question Catherine! This is a vintage southern recipe and it's done like this so you really get the taste of the soy sauce on top. I've made it the way you are suggesting and it can be done that way too. But, if you really want to taste the soy sauce, that's why it's put on top. 🙂
This was absolutely delicious! Will definitely make again..thank you!
Yay! It's a family favorite. 🙂
Loved this recipe. Made it for Thanksgiving and it added an extra special touch to the typical fixin’s. Thank you for this recipe...and your others!
Yay Debbie! Thank you so much for your support! 🙂